--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People who are not leaders automatically…" description: "\"People who are not leaders automatically gravitate toward lines--limitations set by others. Many people are taught this in kindergarten when they are i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/john-c-maxwell-113_creative_people-who-are-not-leaders-automatically_1324490.jpg" --- # People who are not leaders automatically gravitate toward… ![“People who are not leaders automatically gravitate toward lines--limitations set by others. Many people are taught this in kindergarten when they are instructed to stay within the lines while coloring. But leaders are more creative than that. They look for options and opportunities. They try to…” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/john-c-maxwell-113_creative_people-who-are-not-leaders-automatically_1324490.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/john-c-maxwell-113_creative_people-who-are-not-leaders-automatically_1324490.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/john-c-maxwell-113_creative_people-who-are-not-leaders-automatically_1324490.jpg) > “People who are not leaders automatically gravitate toward lines--limitations set by others. Many people are taught this in kindergarten when they are instructed to stay within the lines while coloring. But leaders are more creative than that. They look for options and opportunities. They try to take things in a new direction, or beyond the limit. Progress and innovation are made by people who think without lines.” [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. Leaders think beyond imposed limits, seeking new possibilities and innovation. **In simple terms:** Leaders go beyond the lines set by others. Key Takeaway Challenge constraints to create new opportunities. Themes leadership creativity innovation Mood inspirational motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - business strategy - product development - education reform - personal growth Key Concepts systems thinking boundary breaking Questions to Reflect On - What limits could you reframe as opportunities? - How can you balance structure with creativity? A Different Perspective Not all constraints are negative; some provide necessary structure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Kindergarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindergarten/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Limitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limitation/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [New directions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-directions/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of actors think that the more lines they have the more attention they get. That's bullshit. I make people look at me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-van-cleef/a-lot-of-actors-think-that-the-more-lines-they-have-the-more/) [Lee Van Cleef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-van-cleef/) > [Creativity seldom thrives in an atmosphere of great discipline or scrutiny. That's one reason we tend not to want our leaders to get too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/creativity-seldom-thrives-in-an-atmosphere-of-great-discipline-or/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [“However, if the key to a values-based organization is really the people, then leaders need to spend a lot more time developing the team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-m-kraemer/however-if-the-key-to-a-values-based-organization-is-really-the/) Harry M. Kraemer > [Though there are many types of people, leaders, followers, business men, artists, spiritual leaders, and so on, the fact remains that a person's life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/though-there-are-many-types-of-people-leaders-followers-business-men/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Managers light a fire under people; leaders light a fire in people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-austin/managers-light-a-fire-under-people-leaders-light-a-fire-in-people/) Kathy Austin > [“The common goal of leaders is to increase the value and productivity of people. Leaders inspire others to do better than they would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/the-common-goal-of-leaders-is-to-increase-the-value-and-productivity/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [The reverse is a system in which you basically let people who were leaders in one way or another - people sometimes decried as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-cowan/the-reverse-is-a-system-in-which-you-basically-let-people-who-were/) [Geoffrey Cowan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-cowan/) > [Managers will tell people what to do, whereas leaders will inspire them to do it, and there are a few things that go into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-weiner/managers-will-tell-people-what-to-do-whereas-leaders-will-inspire/) [Jeff Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-weiner/) > [Managers help people see themselves as they are; Leaders help people to see themselves better than they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/managers-help-people-see-themselves-as-they-are-leaders-help-people/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Religion is always in danger of growing apart from the people when its leaders forget to reflect carefully on their own behavior and come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/religion-is-always-in-danger-of-growing-apart-from-the-people-when/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [The leaders who get the most out of their people are the leaders who care most about their people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/the-leaders-who-get-the-most-out-of-their-people-are-the-leaders-who/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“Don't take purposeless people as your leaders. Their life is like an empty book with a nice cover paper and you have attempted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/don-t-take-purposeless-people-as-your-leaders-their-life-is-like-an/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Some great people are leaders and others are more lucky, in the right place at the right time. I'd put myself in the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-wozniak/some-great-people-are-leaders-and-others-are-more-lucky-in-the-right/) [Steve Wozniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-wozniak/) > [Leadership is accomplishing something through other people that wouldn't have happened if you weren't there. . . Leadership is being able to mobilize ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-tichy/leadership-is-accomplishing-something-through-other-people-that/) [Noel Tichy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-tichy/) > [“Misery and poverty of a nation is associated with the conscious of its people not leaders.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/misery-and-poverty-of-a-nation-is-associated-with-the-conscious-of/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) ## 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 Creative quotes > [An artist's creative energy is ephemeral as a flower. It blooms and soon dies. No artist is great forever. Personally, I think I reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ki-duk/an-artist-s-creative-energy-is-ephemeral-as-a-flower-it-blooms-and/) [Kim Ki-duk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ki-duk/) > [When you're being truly creative, time stands still, and you enter a dimension that can carry you beyond the ordinariness of everyday life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-linn/when-you-re-being-truly-creative-time-stands-still-and-you-enter-a/) [Denise Linn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-linn/) > [I started off playing by ear, and being around a bunch of musicians and playing in the streets and in the different parades and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-andrews/i-started-off-playing-by-ear-and-being-around-a-bunch-of-musicians/) [Troy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-andrews/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Money is only used for two things. One, it's to make you comfortable, and the more comfortable you are the more creative you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/money-is-only-used-for-two-things-one-it-s-to-make-you-comfortable/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Beware of self-indulgence. The romance surrounding the writing profession carries several myths: that one must suffer in order to be creative; that one must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/beware-of-self-indulgence-the-romance-surrounding-the-writing/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [The creative strength is good enough and deep enough to bring itself to flower and to grow in spite of this sickness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-greenberg/the-creative-strength-is-good-enough-and-deep-enough-to-bring-itself/) [Joanne Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-greenberg/) > [Anytime I get the chance to sing or work with Michael John, it is such an incredibly fertile and incredibly creative and safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/anytime-i-get-the-chance-to-sing-or-work-with-michael-john-it-is-such/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [What Sri Chinmoy does is God-given! He has a tremendous, a fantastic creative urge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/what-sri-chinmoy-does-is-god-given-he-has-a-tremendous-a-fantastic/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [when times are tough, the weak bail and the tough get creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-times-are-tough-the-weak-bail-and-the-tough-get-creative/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Teasing out the way the world might look through another's eyes is what makes the creative process so fascinating and enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-l-carter/teasing-out-the-way-the-world-might-look-through-another-s-eyes-is/) [Stephen L. Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-l-carter/) > [The creation lives as genesis beneath the visible surface of the work. All intelligent people see this after the fact, but only the creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-creation-lives-as-genesis-beneath-the-visible-surface-of-the-work/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) [Browse all 7,284 Creative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People who are not leaders automatically gravitate toward lines--limitations set by others. Many people are taught this in kindergarten when they are instructed to stay within the lines while coloring. But leaders are more creative than that. They look for options and opportunities. They try to take things in a new direction, or beyond the limit. Progress and innovation are made by people who think without lines.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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