--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Leadership can be thought of as a…" description: "\"Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.\" — Edwin H Friedman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png" --- # Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define… ![“Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.” quote by Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png) > “Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.” [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) ## 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 defining oneself to others, clarifying and expanding a shared future vision. **In simple terms:** Leadership shapes identity and future vision. Key Takeaway Define yourself, inspire others. Themes leadership identity vision communication growth Mood strategic encouraging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - strategic planning - public speaking - coaching Key Concepts self‑definition future‑oriented thinking influence Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance personal vision with team input? - What practices help you articulate a clear future? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on self‑definition may neglect collaborative input. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Define Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define-oneself-848308/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Expands Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expands-vision-2534561/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Leadership by famous leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-by-famous-leaders/) [Leadership Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-thought-2534560/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Participative leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participative-leadership-140410/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [Vision Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision-future/) [Visions of the future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visions-of-the-future/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Humans are ambitious and rational and proud. And we don't fall in line with people who don't respect us and who we don't believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/humans-are-ambitious-and-rational-and-proud-and-we-don-t-fall-in-line/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [The leader works in the open and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-leader-works-in-the-open-and-the-boss-in-covert-the-leader-leads/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Religious traditions can be reinterpreted in a manner that assists healing, corrects distortions, and expands vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-graham/religious-traditions-can-be-reinterpreted-in-a-manner-that-assists/) [Larry Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-graham/) > [In no way be bullied into silence. Hardly ever permit on your own to become made a sufferer. Acknowledge no one's definition of one's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-fierstein/in-no-way-be-bullied-into-silence-hardly-ever-permit-on-your-own-to/) [Harvey Fierstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-fierstein/) > [Never to have occasion to take a position, to make up one's mind, or to define oneself — there is no wish I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/never-to-have-occasion-to-take-a-position-to-make-up-one-s-mind-or-to/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [A man should know about himself two or three things: whether he is a coward; whether he is an honest man or given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/a-man-should-know-about-himself-two-or-three-things-whether-he-is-a/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [To be able to lead others, a man must be willing to go forward alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/to-be-able-to-lead-others-a-man-must-be-willing-to-go-forward-alone/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don't think that's quite it; it's more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/i-used-to-think-that-running-an-organization-was-equivalent-to-2/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job. That takes all of the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arleigh-burke/leadership-is-understanding-people-and-involving-them-to-help-you-do/) [Arleigh Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arleigh-burke/) > [A leader is best when people barely know that he exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witter-bynner/a-leader-is-best-when-people-barely-know-that-he-exists/) [Witter Bynner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witter-bynner/) > [Be strong, but not rude; Be kind, but not weak; Be bold, but not bully; Be humble, but not timid; Be prooud, but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/be-strong-but-not-rude-be-kind-but-not-weak-be-bold-but-not-bully-be/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/management-is-efficiency-in-climbing-the-ladder-of-success/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/he-who-has-never-learned-to-obey-cannot-be-a-good-commander/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/that-s-nonsense-in-fact-the-opposite-is-true-leaders-are-made-rather/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [My own definition of leadership is this: The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-law-montgomery/my-own-definition-of-leadership-is-this-the-capacity-and-the-will-to/) [Bernard Law Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-law-montgomery/) ## More by Edwin H Friedman > [“the major relational problem for our species is not getting together; protoplasm loves to join. The problem is preserving self in a close relationship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/the-major-relational-problem-for-our-species-is-not-getting-together/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“the key to survival is the ability of the “host” to recognize and limit the invasiveness of its viral or malignant components.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/the-key-to-survival-is-the-ability-of-the-host-to-recognize-and-limit/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [The function of a leader within any institution: to provide that regulation through his or her non-anxious, self-defined presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/the-function-of-a-leader-within-any-institution-to-provide-that/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“while the modern, human animal is capable of deep thought and, like its mammalian forebears, can nurture and play, it also is capable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/while-the-modern-human-animal-is-capable-of-deep-thought-and-like-its/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“no one has ever gone from slavery to freedom with the slaveholders cheering them on,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/no-one-has-ever-gone-from-slavery-to-freedom-with-the-slaveholders/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/communication-does-not-depend-on-syntax-or-eloquence-or-rhetoric-or/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“The three criteria of reptilian functioning that leaders of any family or institution can always rely on to judge madness (of others or their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/the-three-criteria-of-reptilian-functioning-that-leaders-of-any/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“any community or family discussion, those who are the first to introduce concern for empathy feel powerless, and are trying to use the togetherness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/any-community-or-family-discussion-those-who-are-the-first-to/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“A “new world” view of the brain suggests instead that communication is itself an emotional phenomenon that depends on three interrelational rather than “mental”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/a-new-world-view-of-the-brain-suggests-instead-that-communication-is/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [A major criterion for judging the anxiety level of any society is the loss of its capacity to be playful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/a-major-criterion-for-judging-the-anxiety-level-of-any-society-is-the/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [Attitudes are the real figures of speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/attitudes-are-the-real-figures-of-speech/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“the “old world” view separates data from emotional process and focuses leaders on the “talking heads” of others, while the “new world” view focuses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/the-old-world-view-separates-data-from-emotional-process-and-focuses/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“when one individual in a marriage stands up to another, while the other will not like it at first, he or she generally will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/when-one-individual-in-a-marriage-stands-up-to-another-while-the/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“There are always three factors involved in survival, no matter how toxic the environment. One is the physical reality; the second is dumb luck;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/there-are-always-three-factors-involved-in-survival-no-matter-how/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [“If lack of self-regulation is the essential characteristic of organisms that are destructive, it is the presence of self-regulatory capacity that is critical to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/if-lack-of-self-regulation-is-the-essential-characteristic-of/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) [Explore all 19 Edwin H Friedman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) ## More Capacity quotes > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [And you can't complain about kissing Emma Watson. Isn't that what everyone in the world wants to do? I've known Emma for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/and-you-can-t-complain-about-kissing-emma-watson-isn-t-that-what/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-was-only-operating-at-about-80-of-my-capacity/) [Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [For years mental health professionals taught people that they could be psychologically healthy without social support, that “unless you love yourself, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-d-perry/for-years-mental-health-professionals-taught-people-that-they-could/) [Bruce D. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-d-perry/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/human-freedom-involves-our-capacity-to-pause-between-the-stimulus-and/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [he cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/he-cult-of-productivity-has-its-place-but-worshipping-at-its-altar/) [Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 3,320 Capacity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edwin H Friedman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capacity-to-define-oneself-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Capacity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capacity-to-define-oneself-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/edwin-h-friedman-2-28965_capacity_leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capaci_1864801.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a…” — Edwin H Friedman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edwin H Friedman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Leadership can be thought of as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capacity-to-define-oneself-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/leadership-can-be-thought-of-as-a-capacity-to-define-oneself-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```