--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"Leadership\" is a big topic today. We…" description: "\"\"Leadership\" is a big topic today. We know that the world - nations and communities in addition to companies - needs more and better leaders. So I want..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_behave_leadership-is-a-big-topic-today-we-know_2264864.jpg" --- # "Leadership" is a big topic today. We know that the world… ![“"Leadership" is a big topic today. We know that the world - nations and communities in addition to companies - needs more and better leaders. So I wanted to explore how leaders make a difference, how they can shift a negative cycle, turn around a losing organization, propel a team to victory when…” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_behave_leadership-is-a-big-topic-today-we-know_2264864.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_behave_leadership-is-a-big-topic-today-we-know_2264864.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_behave_leadership-is-a-big-topic-today-we-know_2264864.jpg) > “"Leadership" is a big topic today. We know that the world - nations and communities in addition to companies - needs more and better leaders. So I wanted to explore how leaders make a difference, how they can shift a negative cycle, turn around a losing organization, propel a team to victory when conditions aren't perfect. I saw that what leaders do is build confidence in advance of victory. Then the confidence they produce makes the hope of success turn into the reality of success, because people behave differently when they are surrounded by a culture of confidence.” [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders create confidence that transforms hope into tangible success by shaping culture and behavior. **In simple terms:** Confidence drives success. Key Takeaway Cultivate confidence to achieve goals. Themes leadership confidence culture transformation Mood inspirational optimistic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - team building - turnaround management - organizational change - strategic planning Key Concepts psychology organizational behavior motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you build confidence in a struggling team? - What cultural shifts are needed for lasting success? A Different Perspective Confidence alone cannot overcome structural constraints or lack of resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Making a difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-a-difference/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Great leaders are most wanted. They are most wanted for what they do with their gifts and talents. Their dreams are so unique in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/great-leaders-are-most-wanted-they-are-most-wanted-for-what-they-do/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Once fraternities became tied to power and leadership, the powerful and would-be-leaders wanted to join.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-konnikova/once-fraternities-became-tied-to-power-and-leadership-the-powerful/) [Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) > [The world has 6 billion people and counting. We need to help 500 million people become better leaders so that billions can benefit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/the-world-has-6-billion-people-and-counting-we-need-to-help-500/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [I'm not sure leaders listen enough, especially to their people. And I've always thought in everything I've tried to do in my life, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-hagel/i-m-not-sure-leaders-listen-enough-especially-to-their-people-and-i/) [Chuck Hagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-hagel/) > [“Covey wrote primarily about building character, not about “achieving success”—and thereby helped people become not just more effective individuals, but better leaders;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosettabooks/covey-wrote-primarily-about-building-character-not-about-achieving/) RosettaBooks > [Leaders stand out. Good leaders succeed. Great leaders make a difference in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-richardson/leaders-stand-out-good-leaders-succeed-great-leaders-make-a/) [Cheryl Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-richardson/) > [If world problems feel too big to tackle, think small. Step by step. Small wins build confidence, lead the way to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/if-world-problems-feel-too-big-to-tackle-think-small-step-by-step/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Six traits of effective leaders: 1. Make others feel important 2. Promote a vision 3. Follow the golden rule 4. Admit mistakes 5. Criticize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/six-traits-of-effective-leaders-1-make-others-feel-important-2/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [Good leaders make wise decisions about which ideas to keep on the bench & which ones to send into the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-leaders-make-wise-decisions-about-which-ideas-to-keep-on-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Awesome leaders, make it their aim, their goal and their business to catch their people doing the right thing and reward them for it!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricardo-housham/awesome-leaders-make-it-their-aim-their-goal-and-their-business-to/) [Ricardo Housham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricardo-housham/) > [All leaders make mistakes. They are a part of life. Successful leaders recognize their errors, learn from them, and work to correct their faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/all-leaders-make-mistakes-they-are-a-part-of-life-successful-leaders/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“RULE 2. Leaders make sure people not only see the vision, they live and breathe it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/rule-2-leaders-make-sure-people-not-only-see-the-vision-they-live-and/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [“Leaders make a lot of mistakes but they admit those mistakes to themselves and change because of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-slap/leaders-make-a-lot-of-mistakes-but-they-admit-those-mistakes-to/) [Stan Slap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-slap/) > [Leaders make things better and that requires change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/leaders-make-things-better-and-that-requires-change/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Great leaders make people feel important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-addison/great-leaders-make-people-feel-important/) [John Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-addison/) ## More by Rosabeth Moss Kanter > [Not everyone in an organization is in a position to accumulate power through competent performance because most people are just carrying out the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/not-everyone-in-an-organization-is-in-a-position-to-accumulate-power/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I wonder whether there has been too much emphasis on teaching women to conform, to fit into the system. Certainly that suits conservative organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-wonder-whether-there-has-been-too-much-emphasis-on-teaching-women/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [After years of telling corporate citizens to 'trust the system,' many companies must relearn instead to trust their people - and encourage their people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/after-years-of-telling-corporate-citizens-to-trust-the-system-many/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the-world-through-a-kaleidoscope/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [The difference between "winners" and "losers" is not whether they face obstacles and setbacks - we all do, and it is inevitable that plans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-difference-between-winners-and-losers-is-not-whether-they-face/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/friendly-people-are-caring-people-eager-to-provide-encouragement-and/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power is the ability to get things done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-is-the-ability-to-get-things-done/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I've been looking at companies that are on a positive path vs. a negative path and I've come to use the language of sports,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-ve-been-looking-at-companies-that-are-on-a-positive-path-vs-a/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power stems from 'rainmaking,' as law firms put it: the ability to bring resources into the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-stems-from-rainmaking-as-law-firms-put-it-the-ability-to-bring/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Leaders must pick causes they won't abandon easily, remain committed despite setbacks, and communicate their big ideas over and over again in every encounter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/leaders-must-pick-causes-they-won-t-abandon-easily-remain-committed/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Companies used to be able to function with autocratic bosses. We don't live in that world anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/companies-used-to-be-able-to-function-with-autocratic-bosses-we-don-t/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Everything looks like a failure in the middle. In neary every change project, doubt is cast on the original vision because problems are mounting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/everything-looks-like-a-failure-in-the-middle-in-neary-every-change/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Confidence is not lodged in people's brains, it comes from the support system that surrounds them. Let's not confuse confidence overall with just self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/confidence-is-not-lodged-in-people-s-brains-it-comes-from-the-support/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [During the Boom Years, it was so easy to lose sight of basic values. For example, there was lots of nonsense said and written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/during-the-boom-years-it-was-so-easy-to-lose-sight-of-basic-values/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Winning becomes easier over time as the cornerstones of confidence become habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/winning-becomes-easier-over-time-as-the-cornerstones-of-confidence/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) [Explore all 111 Rosabeth Moss Kanter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) ## More Behave quotes > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [You can behave as badly as you like in America. Nobody notices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/you-can-behave-as-badly-as-you-like-in-america-nobody-notices/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“Then Olympus it is. But do try to behave. I know it’s hard for you, but… (Delphine) I won’t piss on the floor. (Jericho)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/then-olympus-it-is-but-do-try-to-behave-i-know-it-s-hard-for-you-but/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The possibility of saying anything about a thing rests on the assumption that it preserves its identity, or continues to be the same thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-knight/the-possibility-of-saying-anything-about-a-thing-rests-on-the/) [Frank Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-knight/) > [Why does man behave like perfect idiot? This is the problem I wish to deal with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-szent-gyorgyi/why-does-man-behave-like-perfect-idiot-this-is-the-problem-i-wish-to/) [Albert Szent-Gyorgyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-szent-gyorgyi/) > [This is a time in my life where I'm gonna behave like an elegant human being. Or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/this-is-a-time-in-my-life-where-i-m-gonna-behave-like-an-elegant/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [Most people, even in simple risky situations, don't behave the way the theory of utility would have them behave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-raiffa/most-people-even-in-simple-risky-situations-don-t-behave-the-way-the/) [Howard Raiffa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-raiffa/) > [As a club, we have an educational purpose: to give back to those people who love Arsenal so that they learn moral values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/as-a-club-we-have-an-educational-purpose-to-give-back-to-those-people/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [What astonishes many of us is not so much that human nature is fundamentally corrupt; we are astonished rather that it does not behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-irving-seiden/what-astonishes-many-of-us-is-not-so-much-that-human-nature-is/) Morton Irving Seiden > [Do we behave out of fear of punishment, or out of the demands of our heart? For me, it is the latter, as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-we-behave-out-of-fear-of-punishment-or-out-of-the-demands-of-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [The superpowers often behave like two heavily armed blind men feeling their way around a room, each believing himself in mortal peril from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-superpowers-often-behave-like-two-heavily-armed-blind-men-feeling/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For political and bureaucratic reasons, governments at all levels are telling far less to the public than to insiders about how to prepare for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/for-political-and-bureaucratic-reasons-governments-at-all-levels-are/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) Browse all 1,587 Behave quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "\"Leadership\" is a big topic today. 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