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# follow my lead
Ten quotes about leadership from the most powerful people in the world
“There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious.”
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COMING FROM THE right orator, words have the ability to shape reality.
It was no surprise that many of those named on a recent ranking of the 50 most powerful people in the world are gifted speakers with a knack for winning support with savvy, effectively communicated messages.
Our ranking inspired us to look at what the top power people have to say about influence, ambition, command and leadership.
The following are quotes about power from the top ten most powerful people in the world. Just one way to inspire as we kick off the New Year.
1. Barack Obama, President of the United States
“In a world of complex threats, our security and leadership depends on all elements of our power – including strong and principled diplomacy.”
2. Xi Jinping, President of China
Happiness does not fall out of the blue and dreams will not come true by themselves. We need to be down-to-earth and work hard. We should uphold the idea that working hard is the most honourable, noblest, greatest and most beautiful virtue.
3. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
“Russia needs a strong state power and must have it. But I am not calling for totalitarianism.”
4. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
“You could certainly say that I’ve never underestimated myself. There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious.”
5. Warren Buffett, American business magnate and philanthropist
“There’s class warfare … but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war – and we’re winning.”
6. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
It is my firm belief that the solution to all problems lies in dialogue. Earlier, it was believed that force indicates power. Now, power must come through the strength of ideas and effective dialogue.
7. Pope Francis
8. Janet Yellen, Chair of the US Federal Reserve System
“In government institutions and in teaching, you need to inspire confidence. To achieve credibility, you have to very clearly explain what you are doing and why.”
9. Charles Koch, American businessman and philanthropist
Our elected officials would do well to remember that the most prosperous countries are those that allow consumers – not governments – to direct the use of resources. Allowing the government to pick winners and losers hurts almost everyone, especially our poorest citizens.
10. Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”
- Melissa Stanger and Tanza Loudenback
Read: An emoji could have damaged relations between two major nations
Read: 9 things we learned from Barack Obama’s interview with GQ
