--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm kind of a reluctant guru." description: "\"I'm kind of a reluctant guru.\" — Patrick Lencioni" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png" --- # I'm kind of a reluctant guru. ![“I'm kind of a reluctant guru.” quote by Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png) > “I'm kind of a reluctant guru.” [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admitting reluctance to be a guru highlights humility and self-awareness about leadership expectations. **In simple terms:** Reluctant guru shows humility. Key Takeaway Embrace honest self‑assessment. Themes leadership humility self‑awareness Mood thoughtful introspective Type motivational leadership When to use this quote - team management - personal development - public speaking Key Concepts authenticity role tension Questions to Reflect On - How does reluctance affect credibility? - When is humility most effective? A Different Perspective Reluctance may limit influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Guru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guru/) [Reluctant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reluctant/) ## Related quotes > [I was kind of reluctant to sing on the 'Housewives' because there are so many 'Housewives' that are singing that can't really sing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nene-leakes/i-was-kind-of-reluctant-to-sing-on-the-housewives-because-there-are/) [NeNe Leakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nene-leakes/) > [As much as I have done collaborations over the years, I am actually kind of a reluctant partner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/as-much-as-i-have-done-collaborations-over-the-years-i-am-actually/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [I suspect that Jesus spoke many of his parables as a kind of sad and holy joke and that that may be part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/i-suspect-that-jesus-spoke-many-of-his-parables-as-a-kind-of-sad-and/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The best heroes in the world are the reluctant ones. Courage isn't fearlessness - it's acting in the face of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-gerritsen/the-best-heroes-in-the-world-are-the-reluctant-ones-courage-isn-t/) [Tess Gerritsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-gerritsen/) > [I think the public is very reluctant to get involved in more foreign wars, especially in the Middle East. And they understand, implicitly, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-klare/i-think-the-public-is-very-reluctant-to-get-involved-in-more-foreign/) [Michael Klare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-klare/) > [For me, I don't have a publicist. I don't want to talk about my personal life. I don't want to talk about my process.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debi-mazar/for-me-i-don-t-have-a-publicist-i-don-t-want-to-talk-about-my/) [Debi Mazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debi-mazar/) > [What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/what-i-m-talking-about-is-more-than-recompense-for-past-injustices/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [Plato long ago pointed out the importance of being governed by men with sufficient sense of responsibility and comprehension of public duties to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/plato-long-ago-pointed-out-the-importance-of-being-governed-by-men/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Major international interventions are doomed unless the US is directly or indirectly involved. But if American politicians, officials and servicemen are to be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/major-international-interventions-are-doomed-unless-the-us-is/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [I think that, most importantly, when I see issues of war, I see them in a personal vein, and I am reluctant to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-most-importantly-when-i-see-issues-of-war-i-see-them-in/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ Ted Cruz who's been gaining on \[Donald\] Trump in Iowa and is polling ahead of him in the latest Monmouth poll would be quite… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/ted-cruz-who-s-been-gaining-on-donald-trump-in-iowa-and-is-polling/) [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) > [I don't know why people are so reluctant to say they're feminists. Could it be any more obvious that we still live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/i-don-t-know-why-people-are-so-reluctant-to-say-they-re-feminists/) [Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/) > [Just like Barack Obama, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and now I am a reluctant groom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/just-like-barack-obama-my-views-on-gay-marriage-have-evolved-and-now/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [I figure that my staff will be less reluctant to work overtime if I work longer hours than they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ogilvy/i-figure-that-my-staff-will-be-less-reluctant-to-work-overtime-if-i/) [David Ogilvy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ogilvy/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) ## More by Patrick Lencioni > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Trust is the foundation of real teamwork (there is nothing touchy-feely about this).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/trust-is-the-foundation-of-real-teamwork-there-is-nothing-touchy/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“There is something so powerful about a person who in one moment can be confident enough to confront a client about a sensitive personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/there-is-something-so-powerful-about-a-person-who-in-one-moment-can/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“The idea is that your clients are looking for good suggestions, and they don’t mind sifting through some not-so-good ones as long as they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-idea-is-that-your-clients-are-looking-for-good-suggestions-and/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Are your people uncomfortable during meetings and tired at the end? If not, they're probably not mixing it up enough and getting to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/are-your-people-uncomfortable-during-meetings-and-tired-at-the-end-if/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [An organization has integrity—is healthy—when it is whole, consistent, and complete, that is, when its management, operations, strategy, and culture fit together and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/an-organization-has-integrity-is-healthy-when-it-is-whole-consistent/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I've become absolutely convinced that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre or unsuccessful ones has little, if anything, to do with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-ve-become-absolutely-convinced-that-the-seminal-difference-between/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Home is most important in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/home-is-most-important-in-the-long-run/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [If you don't know what your family stands for and what your life situation is, you're in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/if-you-don-t-know-what-your-family-stands-for-and-what-your-life/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“First, we go figure out how to recognize a real team player, the kind of person who can easily build trust, engage in healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/first-we-go-figure-out-how-to-recognize-a-real-team-player-the-kind/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [People will walk through fire for a leader that's true and human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/people-will-walk-through-fire-for-a-leader-that-s-true-and-human/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-majority-of-meetings-should-be-discussions-that-lead-to-decisions/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [At its core, all authentic growth depends on more customers wanting more of what your company offers. Any other drivers - pricing gimmicks, heroic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/at-its-core-all-authentic-growth-depends-on-more-customers-wanting/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/admit-your-weaknesses-and-limitations/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I have yet to meet members of a leadership team who I thought lacked the intelligence or the domain expertise required to be successful.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-have-yet-to-meet-members-of-a-leadership-team-who-i-thought-lacked/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) [Explore all 194 Patrick Lencioni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## More Guru quotes > [The wisdom or the essence of Guru Tattwa is a balance. Like when you maintain a plant, if you do not give it water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/the-wisdom-or-the-essence-of-guru-tattwa-is-a-balance-like-when-you/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [I have no disciples, being myself an aspirant after discipleship and in search of a guru.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-have-no-disciples-being-myself-an-aspirant-after-discipleship-and/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I used to study in Guru Nanak college and there we had only seven girls out of 4,300 boys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-grover/i-used-to-study-in-guru-nanak-college-and-there-we-had-only-seven/) [Sunil Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-grover/) > [The real guru is the pure intellect within; and the purified, deeply aspiring mind is the disciple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinmayananda-saraswati/the-real-guru-is-the-pure-intellect-within-and-the-purified-deeply/) [Chinmayananda Saraswati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinmayananda-saraswati/) > [I have always wanted to branch off and become a fashion guru. I want to share my artistic views with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-have-always-wanted-to-branch-off-and-become-a-fashion-guru-i-want/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [All worldly pursuits have but one unavoidable and inevitable end, which is sorrow; acquisitions end in dispersion; buildings in destruction; meetings in separation; births…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milarepa/all-worldly-pursuits-have-but-one-unavoidable-and-inevitable-end/) [Milarepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milarepa/) > [I do not think, like people say, that I am a guru or I know everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-jhunjhunwala/i-do-not-think-like-people-say-that-i-am-a-guru-or-i-know-everything/) [Rakesh Jhunjhunwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-jhunjhunwala/) > [Even to the sage who's doing Sahaja Samadhi, the great guru, I'd say: "Hey buddy, you know, I like the robes and everything, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/even-to-the-sage-who-s-doing-sahaja-samadhi-the-great-guru-i-d-say/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I was full of a hot, powerful sadness and would have loved to burst into the comfort of tears, but tried hard not to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/i-was-full-of-a-hot-powerful-sadness-and-would-have-loved-to-burst/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > ['Lakshmi' is a dance film, a musical that deals with the emotional bond between the guru and his sishya.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabhu-deva/lakshmi-is-a-dance-film-a-musical-that-deals-with-the-emotional-bond/) [Prabhu Deva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabhu-deva/) > [I now dream of working with Ilaiyaraaja, who is considered to be A.R. Rehman's guru.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonu-kakkar/i-now-dream-of-working-with-ilaiyaraaja-who-is-considered-to-be-a-r/) [Sonu Kakkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonu-kakkar/) > [I'm not a military general, a business guru, not a philosopher or author. It's only me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/i-m-not-a-military-general-a-business-guru-not-a-philosopher-or/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [Keep growing. Stay awake. Beware of gurus. Keep a low overhead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-larkin/keep-growing-stay-awake-beware-of-gurus-keep-a-low-overhead/) [Joan Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-larkin/) > [In spiritual life, one must conduct one's whole life under the guidance of the guru. Only one who executes his spiritual life under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/in-spiritual-life-one-must-conduct-one-s-whole-life-under-the/) [A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/) > [Phony gurus make themselves objects of adoration and worship. Real spiritual teachers aren't interested in adoration and worship. They like respect only because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/phony-gurus-make-themselves-objects-of-adoration-and-worship-real/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) [Browse all 505 Guru quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guru/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm kind of a reluctant guru.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Lencioni" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Guru" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ed/patrick-lencioni-1969_guru_i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru-2606135_2606135.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm kind of a reluctant guru.” — Patrick Lencioni", "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": "Patrick Lencioni", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm kind of a reluctant guru.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-m-kind-of-a-reluctant-guru/#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 } } ] } ```