--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think leaders lead themselves, but…" description: "\"I think leaders lead themselves, but leaders have ideas and maybe they're visionary ideas. Probably today, people would say Steve Jobs was a visionary ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/les-wexner-14249_cell-phone_i-think-leaders-lead-themselves-but-lead_1056847.jpg" --- # I think leaders lead themselves, but leaders have ideas… ![“I think leaders lead themselves, but leaders have ideas and maybe they're visionary ideas. Probably today, people would say Steve Jobs was a visionary because he invented this little gadget, the cell phone. But he didn't invent cell phones, and he didn't design the cell phone. He just took a…” quote by Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/les-wexner-14249_cell-phone_i-think-leaders-lead-themselves-but-lead_1056847.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/les-wexner-14249_cell-phone_i-think-leaders-lead-themselves-but-lead_1056847.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20e/les-wexner-14249_cell-phone_i-think-leaders-lead-themselves-but-lead_1056847.jpg) > “I think leaders lead themselves, but leaders have ideas and maybe they're visionary ideas. Probably today, people would say Steve Jobs was a visionary because he invented this little gadget, the cell phone. But he didn't invent cell phones, and he didn't design the cell phone. He just took a couple of ideas and put them together, and no one else put those same ideas together as successfully as he did. But he had something that he was trying to do that intrigued him, and he could do it very well.” [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership involves synthesizing existing ideas uniquely rather than inventing entirely new ones, as exemplified by Steve Jobs. **In simple terms:** Leaders combine ideas in new ways. Key Takeaway Focus on integrating ideas creatively. Themes leadership innovation vision Mood inspired analytical Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - product development - team brainstorming - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts idea synthesis creative integration strategic thinking Questions to Reflect On - What ideas can you combine for impact? - How do resources affect idea execution? A Different Perspective Success also depends on market timing and resources, not just idea combination. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cell phone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phone/) [Cell phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phones/) [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [The future is taking shape now in our own beliefs and in the courage of our leaders. Ideas and leadership - not natural or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-future-is-taking-shape-now-in-our-own-beliefs-and-in-the-courage/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are already leaders. Your ideas, your actions and your decisions make a difference. More than any other generation, you have a voice. Social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/you-are-already-leaders-your-ideas-your-actions-and-your-decisions/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [When you coach and teach leadership, most people think about them. It's like you're the leader and how do you influence them. Clearly, leaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/when-you-coach-and-teach-leadership-most-people-think-about-them-it-s/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [I not only think that they (U.S. leaders) are misguided, but I think they know exactly what they are doing and I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-not-only-think-that-they-u-s-leaders-are-misguided-but-i-think-they/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I would encourage women to think about leaders in different fields or companies who they can draw parallels with. For example, I am constantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-ghosn/i-would-encourage-women-to-think-about-leaders-in-different-fields-or/) [Caroline Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-ghosn/) > [Even a brief interaction can change the way people think about themselves, their leaders, and the future. Each of those many connections you make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-conant/even-a-brief-interaction-can-change-the-way-people-think-about/) [Douglas Conant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-conant/) > [It's the job, I think, of leaders to try to address peoples' real legitimate concerns and channel them in the most constructive ways possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-the-job-i-think-of-leaders-to-try-to-address-peoples-real/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [To my mind, you cannot speak about the need for leadership within our communities without being prepared to take on responsibility yourself. It's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-huggins/to-my-mind-you-cannot-speak-about-the-need-for-leadership-within-our/) [Jackie Huggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-huggins/) > [I think the leaders inevitably express the people they are leading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-baskin/i-think-the-leaders-inevitably-express-the-people-they-are-leading/) [Leonard Baskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-baskin/) > [I think that former leaders are best seen occasionally and not too often heard - particularly on the subject of their successors!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kennedy/i-think-that-former-leaders-are-best-seen-occasionally-and-not-too/) [Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/) > [Most people think of leaders as being these outgoing, very visible, and charismatic people, which I find to be a very narrow perception. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-conant/most-people-think-of-leaders-as-being-these-outgoing-very-visible-and/) [Douglas Conant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-conant/) > [I think the leaders in all parties tend to adjust to reality. They just have to or they won't remain in office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-sessions/i-think-the-leaders-in-all-parties-tend-to-adjust-to-reality-they/) [Jeff Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-sessions/) > [I think all our leaders are utterly beneath us. You just watch 'Prime Minister's Questions' and go: 'How is this the best that we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-think-all-our-leaders-are-utterly-beneath-us-you-just-watch-prime/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lot of people think that they are leaders just because they have been placed in charge of something - and you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/a-lot-of-people-think-that-they-are-leaders-just-because-they-have/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [Think of managing change as an adventure. It tests your skills and abilities. It brings forth talent that may have been dormant. Change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-rice/think-of-managing-change-as-an-adventure-it-tests-your-skills-and/) Charles E. Rice ## More by Les Wexner > [If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you don’t have any nose,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/if-you-keep-your-nose-to-the-grindstone-you-don-t-have-any-nose/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [I am really proud of the development of the people on my team as they grow in purpose; they like what they see in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/i-am-really-proud-of-the-development-of-the-people-on-my-team-as-they/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [I think different societies, cultures, individuals, teams of people, make the world a better place. The founding fathers, they made New England, they made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/i-think-different-societies-cultures-individuals-teams-of-people-make/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [If you start painting yourself into a corner, life starts shutting down. There is always hopefully a next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/if-you-start-painting-yourself-into-a-corner-life-starts-shutting/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [I'm unhappy with the President Trump. I don't like his behavior, and I'm a Republican, and I don't like his policies because they're almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/i-m-unhappy-with-the-president-trump-i-don-t-like-his-behavior-and-i/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [I think success is about purpose. People ask about success at different points in your life. As I look back, I think people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/i-think-success-is-about-purpose-people-ask-about-success-at/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [Sometimes I wish I lived more in the day, but I'm happier thinking about tomorrow or the day after. The way I see it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/sometimes-i-wish-i-lived-more-in-the-day-but-i-m-happier-thinking/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [There is always hopefully a next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/there-is-always-hopefully-a-next/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [When you coach and teach leadership, most people think about them. It's like you're the leader and how do you influence them. Clearly, leaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/when-you-coach-and-teach-leadership-most-people-think-about-them-it-s/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [Ask yourself: What forms the decisions you make? What is it that gnaws at you? What are your crucible moments?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/ask-yourself-what-forms-the-decisions-you-make-what-is-it-that-gnaws/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [I was single for most of my life. The best thing that happened to me is my wife. I've got four kids. All of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/i-was-single-for-most-of-my-life-the-best-thing-that-happened-to-me/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [My faith is very important me. I think the notion that there's this greater force outside of ourselves that's created the universe, created challenges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/my-faith-is-very-important-me-i-think-the-notion-that-there-s-this/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [My friends don't understand, whether it's belonging to a country club or playing golf, or whatever a vacation is, that should make you happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/my-friends-don-t-understand-whether-it-s-belonging-to-a-country-club/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [If your life lease, your existence was canceled tomorrow, what would you wish you had done? What are the things you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/if-your-life-lease-your-existence-was-canceled-tomorrow-what-would/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) > [You have to keep being curious. The notion that the present is different than the past, and the future will be different than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-wexner/you-have-to-keep-being-curious-the-notion-that-the-present-is/) [Les Wexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) [Explore all 47 Les Wexner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-wexner/) ## More Cell phone quotes > [“What you’re holding in your hands is a BookShots Flames story. It’s part of a revolution in reading. Hand-picked by James Patterson, BookShots Flames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ciotta/what-you-re-holding-in-your-hands-is-a-bookshots-flames-story-it-s/) Beth Ciotta > [“Kindle Paperwhite 3G models use the same technology as cell phones, so they are dependent on cellular coverage areas. By default, a 3G device…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amazon/kindle-paperwhite-3g-models-use-the-same-technology-as-cell-phones-so/) amazon > [“I’m not sure how the ponies happened, though I have an inkling: “Can I get you anything?” I’ll say, getting up from a dinner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/i-m-not-sure-how-the-ponies-happened-though-i-have-an-inkling-can-i/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [I like everything with a heaping dose of feminitity, including my cell phone. I created this phone for the classic woman, who like me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimora-lee-simmons/i-like-everything-with-a-heaping-dose-of-feminitity-including-my-cell/) [Kimora Lee Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimora-lee-simmons/) > [“People were sitting together, talking and telling stories face-to-face again, instead of staring at a cell phone screens while texting or chatting with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-foster/people-were-sitting-together-talking-and-telling-stories-face-to-face/) [Mike Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-foster/) > [“To me, at least in retrospect, the really interesting question is why dullness proves to be such a powerful impediment to attention. Why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/to-me-at-least-in-retrospect-the-really-interesting-question-is-why/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.' 'Or,' I said turning to Rafe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/another-night-then-mom-said-maybe-on-the-weekend-we-can-have-a/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Girls are like cell phones they love to be held and talked to but whewn you press the wrong buttons you will be disconnected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/superman/girls-are-like-cell-phones-they-love-to-be-held-and-talked-to-but/) Superman > [Sometimes life really sucks. Then I see your name pop up on my cell phone and I cant help but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-life-really-sucks-then-i-see-your-name-pop-up-on-my-cell/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I remember one point seeing I had like 60-some different cell phones. I know I only use one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-kosar/i-remember-one-point-seeing-i-had-like-60-some-different-cell-phones/) Bernie Kosar > [Cell phones are so convenient that they're an inconvenience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/cell-phones-are-so-convenient-that-they-re-an-inconvenience/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“The history of the sexual vanguard in America was a long list of people who had been ridiculed, imprisoned, or subjected to violence. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-witt/the-history-of-the-sexual-vanguard-in-america-was-a-long-list-of/) Emily Witt > [The increase in chemicals and the increase in technology, like wi-fi and cell phone use that's going through our bodies all of the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-jennings/the-increase-in-chemicals-and-the-increase-in-technology-like-wi-fi/) [Mason Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-jennings/) > [But I'm acutely aware that the possibility of fraud is even more prevalent in today's world because of the Internet and cell phones and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armistead-maupin/but-i-m-acutely-aware-that-the-possibility-of-fraud-is-even-more/) [Armistead Maupin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armistead-maupin/) > [“was my first indication that the policies of Mamaw’s “party of the working man”—the Democrats—weren’t all they were cracked up to be. Political scientists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/was-my-first-indication-that-the-policies-of-mamaw-s-party-of-the/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) [Browse all 982 Cell phone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think leaders lead themselves, but leaders have ideas and maybe they're visionary ideas. Probably today, people would say Steve Jobs was a visionary because he invented this little gadget, the cell phone. But he didn't invent cell phones, and he didn't design the cell phone. He just took a couple of ideas and put them together, and no one else put those same ideas together as successfully as he did. 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