---
title: "1 Leaders Understand Quotes By John P. Kotter"
description: "1 Leaders Understand quotes by John P. Kotter. Plus more from John P. Kotter and more Leaders Understand sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/john-p-kotter-7969_contentment_great-leaders-understand-that-historical_617350.png"
---

> [Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a feeling of contentment with the status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/great-leaders-understand-that-historical-success-tends-to-produce/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/john-p-kotter-7969_contentment_great-leaders-understand-that-historical_617350.png)

## More by John P. Kotter

> [At any one time the world has a very limited number of Steve Jobs or Winston Churchills or Thomas Watson the firsts. These are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/at-any-one-time-the-world-has-a-very-limited-number-of-steve-jobs-or/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [In a change effort, culture comes last, not first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/in-a-change-effort-culture-comes-last-not-first/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Motivation is not a thinking word; it's a feeling word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/motivation-is-not-a-thinking-word-it-s-a-feeling-word/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [One of the most common ways to overcome resistance to change is to educate people about it beforehand. Communication of ideas helps people see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/one-of-the-most-common-ways-to-overcome-resistance-to-change-is-to/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Producing major change in an organization is not just about signing up one charismatic leader. You need a group - a team - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/producing-major-change-in-an-organization-is-not-just-about-signing/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Congress is full of people who get reelected and reelected. How can you have urgency when there are all of those safe seats?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/congress-is-full-of-people-who-get-reelected-and-reelected-how-can/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Commercial organisations that operate responsibly have benefitted by increased revenues of 682% compared to 166% for those that don't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/commercial-organisations-that-operate-responsibly-have-benefitted-by/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [I am often asked about the difference between 'change management' and 'change leadership,' and whether it's just a matter of semantics. These terms are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/i-am-often-asked-about-the-difference-between-change-management-and/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that vision, and inspires them to make it happen despite the obstacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/leadership-defines-what-the-future-should-look-like-aligns-people/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Over the years I have become convinced that we learn best - and change - from hearing stories that strike a chord within us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/over-the-years-i-have-become-convinced-that-we-learn-best-and-change/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [What's really driving the boom in coaching, is this: as we move from 30 miles an hour to 70 to 120 to 180…as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/what-s-really-driving-the-boom-in-coaching-is-this-as-we-move-from-30/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [In terms of getting people to experiment more and take more risk, there are at least three things that immediately come to my mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/in-terms-of-getting-people-to-experiment-more-and-take-more-risk/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Great communicators have an appreciation for positioning. They understand the people they're trying to reach and what they can and can't hear. They send…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/great-communicators-have-an-appreciation-for-positioning-they/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [We worry about appearing awkward in a presentation. But up to a point, most people seem to feel more comfortable with less-than-perfect speaking abilities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/we-worry-about-appearing-awkward-in-a-presentation-but-up-to-a-point/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

> [Kotter International is about leading large-scale change, not just managing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/kotter-international-is-about-leading-large-scale-change-not-just/)

[John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/)

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