...in the words of Max DePree: "Management has a lot to do…
“...in the words of Max DePree: "Management has a lot to do with answers. But leadership is a function of questions. And the first question for a leader always is: 'Who do we intend to be?' Not 'What are we going to do?' but 'Who do we intend to be?'"”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Leadership is defined by the questions we ask about our identity, not by the tasks we plan to accomplish.
In simple terms: Leaders focus on who they want to become.
Key Takeaway
Ask yourself who you aim to be.
Themes
leadership
identity
purpose
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- team building
- personal development
- organizational culture
Key Concepts
self‑definition
strategic questioning
Questions to Reflect On
- What question defines your leadership?
- How does identity shape decisions?
A Different Perspective
Answers alone don’t guide direction; action must be aligned with identity.