--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every sailor knows that you can't sail a…" description: "\"Every sailor knows that you can't sail a ship that isn't moving forward, strong leaders understand that to change direction, you first have to create f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/john-c-maxwell-113_change_every-sailor-knows-that-you-can-t-sail-a_2153277.jpg" --- # Every sailor knows that you can't sail a ship that isn't… ![“Every sailor knows that you can't sail a ship that isn't moving forward, strong leaders understand that to change direction, you first have to create forward progress.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/john-c-maxwell-113_change_every-sailor-knows-that-you-can-t-sail-a_2153277.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/john-c-maxwell-113_change_every-sailor-knows-that-you-can-t-sail-a_2153277.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3c/john-c-maxwell-113_change_every-sailor-knows-that-you-can-t-sail-a_2153277.jpg) > “Every sailor knows that you can't sail a ship that isn't moving forward, strong leaders understand that to change direction, you first have to create forward progress.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership requires forward momentum; change direction only after establishing progress. **In simple terms:** Leaders must keep moving forward before turning. Key Takeaway Build forward progress before shifting direction. Themes leadership change momentum Mood motivational strategic Type leadership inspirational When to use this quote - team projects - organizational change - personal development - career transitions Key Concepts strategic planning growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What forward steps are needed before a change? - How do you balance momentum with flexibility? A Different Perspective Focusing on progress can delay necessary pivots. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Forward progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward-progress/) [Forward Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward-strong-2269947/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Knows Sail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows-sail-4536197/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leaders Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders-understand-638319/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Moving forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving-forward/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [River](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/river/) [Sail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sail/) [Sailor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sailor/) [Sailor Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sailor-knows-1460024/) [Ships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ships/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-leader/) [Strong leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-leaders/) ## Related quotes > [Strong leaders understand that action cures indecision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyotomi-hideyoshi/strong-leaders-understand-that-action-cures-indecision/) [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyotomi-hideyoshi/) > [We can move America forward with a strong middle class. We can move America forward with a strong Democratic majority in the Senate. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-reid/we-can-move-america-forward-with-a-strong-middle-class-we-can-move/) [Harry Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-reid/) > [Let us move forward with strong and active faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/let-us-move-forward-with-strong-and-active-faith/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Good leaders understand that they are stewards. They must find the best people they can, giving them the opportunity to join in the journey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/good-leaders-understand-that-they-are-stewards-they-must-find-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Great leaders understand that the right attitude will set the right atmosphere, which enables the right response from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/great-leaders-understand-that-the-right-attitude-will-set-the-right/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A good sailor knows everything is always changing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luanne-rice/a-good-sailor-knows-everything-is-always-changing/) [Luanne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luanne-rice/) > [A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-woman-knows-the-face-of-the-man-she-loves-as-a-sailor-knows-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“for a woman knows the face of the man she loves like a sailor knows the open sea”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/for-a-woman-knows-the-face-of-the-man-she-loves-like-a-sailor-knows/) [Honore De Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The wind is never for the sailor who knows not to what port he is bound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/the-wind-is-never-for-the-sailor-who-knows-not-to-what-port-he-is/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [Strong leaders equal strong organizations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/strong-leaders-equal-strong-organizations/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“leaders who understand the social and cultural contexts in which our technologies are deployed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hartley/leaders-who-understand-the-social-and-cultural-contexts-in-which-our/) [Scott Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hartley/) > [Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a feeling of contentment…](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/) > [“transformational leaders understand (at least implicitly) that human beings have a dual nature. They set up organizations that engage, to some degree, the higher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/transformational-leaders-understand-at-least-implicitly-that-human/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [Leaders must understand that some people will inevitably sell out to the evil side. Don't waste your time wondering why; spend your time discovering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/leaders-must-understand-that-some-people-will-inevitably-sell-out-to/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Leaders understand the ultimate power of relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/leaders-understand-the-ultimate-power-of-relationships/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every sailor knows that you can't sail a ship that isn't moving forward, strong leaders understand that to change direction, you first have to create forward progress.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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