Heroism Quote by John C. Maxwell
““Successful leaders are like icebergs. When you look at an iceberg, you see only about 10 percent of it, and the rest of it is hidden under the water. When you look at successful leaders, you see only a fraction of their lives. You see the part that looks really good, but there’s usually a lot that remains hidden that’s neither exciting nor glamorous. Tennis star Arthur Ashe said, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost.” True leadership is the same.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, 1998
Leaders appear polished, but most of their effort and struggle are unseen, similar to an iceberg’s hidden mass.
In simple terms: Leadership's hidden work is crucial.
Key Takeaway
Recognize unseen effort.
Themes
leadership
humility
visibility
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- team management
- mentorship
- public perception
- career advancement
Key Concepts
psychology
role modeling
Questions to Reflect On
- What unseen efforts do you admire?
- How can you acknowledge hidden work?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on visible success can foster unrealistic expectations.
