---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By my count, more business leaders have…"
description: "\"By my count, more business leaders have failed and derailed because of arrogance than any other character flaw.\" — Harvey Mackay"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png"
---

#  By my count, more business leaders have failed and…

![“By my count, more business leaders have failed and derailed because of arrogance than any other character flaw.” quote by Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png)

> “By my count, more business leaders have failed and derailed because of arrogance than any other character flaw.”

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Arrogance is the top cause of business failure, more than any other flaw.

**In simple terms:** Arrogance leads to failure more than other flaws.

Key Takeaway

Check ego; stay humble.

Themes

leadlead humility failure

Mood

practical insightful

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- leadership
- team building
- entrepreneurship

Key Concepts

business ethics psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How does humility improve outcomes?
- What checks prevent arrogance?

A Different Perspective

Other flaws also contribute significantly.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-leader/) [Business leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-leaders/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character flaws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-flaws/) [Flaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flaw/) [Flaws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flaws/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/)

## Related quotes

> [My worst character flaw that I'm conscious of is that I tend to think my way into circles instead of resolving anything. It's paralyzing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/my-worst-character-flaw-that-i-m-conscious-of-is-that-i-tend-to-think/)

[David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/)

> [Being stubborn is a virtue when you're right; it's only a character flaw when you're wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/being-stubborn-is-a-virtue-when-you-re-right-it-s-only-a-character/)

[Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/)

> [Dyslexia is a neurological issue, not a character flaw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-redford/dyslexia-is-a-neurological-issue-not-a-character-flaw/)

[James Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-redford/)

> [Call it a character flaw -- when under attack, I counter attack. Always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-marcinko/call-it-a-character-flaw-when-under-attack-i-counter-attack-always/)

[Richard Marcinko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-marcinko/)

> [It's not a character flaw to become an adult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-lonergan/it-s-not-a-character-flaw-to-become-an-adult/)

[Kenneth Lonergan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-lonergan/)

> [The gospel shows us that our spiritual problem lies not only in failing to obey God, but also in relying on our obedience to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-gospel-shows-us-that-our-spiritual-problem-lies-not-only-in/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [I inherited that penchant for intellectualism, a character flaw that these days can only be thoroughly eradicated by getting Z’ed up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-inherited-that-penchant-for-intellectualism-a-character-flaw-that/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [My most serious character flaw is that I don't deny myself much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/my-most-serious-character-flaw-is-that-i-don-t-deny-myself-much/)

[Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/)

> [Humanity can be divided into madmen and cowards. My personal tragedy is in being born into a world where sanity is held to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lawrence/humanity-can-be-divided-into-madmen-and-cowards-my-personal-tragedy/)

[Mark Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lawrence/)

> [I think anyone loves to play a character that is either evil to a certain extent or has a real definable character flaw. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/i-think-anyone-loves-to-play-a-character-that-is-either-evil-to-a/)

[Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/)

> [“However, the British leaders failed to listen to their scientists, expressing disbelief that the technology would be of any use now that the Allies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/however-the-british-leaders-failed-to-listen-to-their-scientists/)

[Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/)

> [Poets are band leaders who have failed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayi-kwei-armah/poets-are-band-leaders-who-have-failed/)

[Ayi Kwei Armah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayi-kwei-armah/)

> [Everyone who feels stuck in the Obama economy is right to focus on the here and now. And I hope you understand this too,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/everyone-who-feels-stuck-in-the-obama-economy-is-right-to-focus-on/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [AAP leaders have failed to take people in confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gurpreet-ghuggi/aap-leaders-have-failed-to-take-people-in-confidence/)

[Gurpreet Ghuggi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gurpreet-ghuggi/)

> [“...,dying seems like the greatest weakness, and in a world where people say you're lazy for not shaving your legs, then being dead seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/dying-seems-like-the-greatest-weakness-and-in-a-world-where-people/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

## More by Harvey Mackay

> [It doesn't matter if they say you can't do it. It only matters if you say you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-doesn-t-matter-if-they-say-you-can-t-do-it-it-only-matters-if-you/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/life-is-too-short-to-wake-up-with-regrets-so-love-the-people-who/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/keep-the-customer-actively-involved-throughout-your-presentation-and/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/your-workforce-is-your-most-valuable-asset-the-knowledge-and-skills/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [I've learned that people will seldom let you down if they understand that your destiny is in their hands, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-ve-learned-that-people-will-seldom-let-you-down-if-they-understand/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/people-begin-to-become-successful-the-minute-they-decide-to-be/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-have-ten-marathons-under-my-belt-including-four-new-york-races-and/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/pay-attention-to-those-employees-who-respectfully-ask-why-they-are/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [The employees who share innovative ideas may also be the folks who have some hidden talents that would help incorporate their suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/the-employees-who-share-innovative-ideas-may-also-be-the-folks-who/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [Leadership does not mean getting people to do their job. It means getting people to do their best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/leadership-does-not-mean-getting-people-to-do-their-job-it-means/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [It's only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-s-only-lonely-at-the-top-if-you-forget-all-the-people-you-met/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [If you walk backwards, you will never stub your toe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/if-you-walk-backwards-you-will-never-stub-your-toe/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

> [As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/as-you-schedule-individual-tasks-give-yourself-a-cushion-mark-the-due/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

[Explore all 209 Harvey Mackay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

## More Arrogance quotes

> [Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this \[step by step, from humans to apes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us-with-so-extraordinary-a/)

[Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/)

> [wishes for sons by Lucille Clifton i wish them cramps. i wish them a strange town and the last tampon. I wish them no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/wishes-for-sons-by-lucille-clifton-i-wish-them-cramps-i-wish-them-a/)

[Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/)

> [The structure of the Swiss ruling class is rock-hard, and unchanged since the time of Napoleon. They sit on their mountains and lecture the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ziegler/the-structure-of-the-swiss-ruling-class-is-rock-hard-and-unchanged/)

[Jean Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ziegler/)

> [What you see of me on TV and all of that, that is me - that's truly how I feel. I'm just multiplying it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-corbin/what-you-see-of-me-on-tv-and-all-of-that-that-is-me-that-s-truly-how/)

[Baron Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-corbin/)

> [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [Never mistake someones quietness for their arrogance as you can surely miss out on an awsome personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-mistake-someones-quietness-for-their-arrogance-as-you-can/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [“I was consumed by a selfishness and arrogance that I didn't dare let go of until I found a new persona to hide behind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-koomson/i-was-consumed-by-a-selfishness-and-arrogance-that-i-didn-t-dare-let/)

[Dorothy Koomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-koomson/)

> [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/)

[Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/)

> [Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-mannes/timing-and-arrogance-are-decisive-factors-in-the-successful-use-of/)

[Marya Mannes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-mannes/)

> [Some say work smarter, not harder, but the wisest are both. Whether you're more of a hard worker or a smart worker, if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colby-tatem/some-say-work-smarter-not-harder-but-the-wisest-are-both-whether-you/)

[Colby Tatem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colby-tatem/)

> [Closed some doors, not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they no longer lead somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenz-jeffrey/closed-some-doors-not-because-of-pride-incapacity-or-arrogance-but/)

[Frenz Jeffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenz-jeffrey/)

> [My success isn't a result of arrogance - it's a result of belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/my-success-isn-t-a-result-of-arrogance-it-s-a-result-of-belief/)

[Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/)

> [“...a great man who is vicious will only be a great doer of evil, and a rich man who is not liberal will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cervantes/a-great-man-who-is-vicious-will-only-be-a-great-doer-of-evil-and-a/)

Miguel Cervantes

> [An increasing number of people are growing uncomfortable with the gulf between the world's rich and the poor. Ostentatiously splashing your money around simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalle-lasn/an-increasing-number-of-people-are-growing-uncomfortable-with-the/)

[Kalle Lasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalle-lasn/)

[Browse all 1,418 Arrogance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "By my count, more business leaders have failed and derailed because of arrogance than any other character flaw.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Harvey Mackay"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-failed-and-derailed-because-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Arrogance"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-failed-and-derailed-because-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/harvey-mackay-1775_arrogance_by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-f_3026512.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“By my count, more business leaders have failed and derailed because of arrogance than any other character…” — Harvey Mackay",
                "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": "Harvey Mackay",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "By my count, more business leaders...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-failed-and-derailed-because-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/by-my-count-more-business-leaders-have-failed-and-derailed-because-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
