--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What you do has far greater impact than…" description: "\"What you do has far greater impact than what you say.\" — Stephen Covey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png" --- # What you do has far greater impact than what you say. ![“What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png) > “What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actions shape outcomes more than words; deeds build credibility. **In simple terms:** Actions matter more than words. Key Takeaway Act consistently with your values. Themes leadership integrity effectiveness Mood motivational practical Type self‑help leadership When to use this quote - project management - public speaking - parenting Key Concepts behavioral impact trust building Questions to Reflect On - What actions could you take today to align with your words? - How do you measure the impact of your deeds? A Different Perspective Words can inspire but must be backed by action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-leader/) [Great leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-leadership/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Inspiring leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring-leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Leadership by famous leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-by-famous-leaders/) [Leadership by great leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-by-great-leaders/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/he-who-has-never-learned-to-obey-cannot-be-a-good-commander/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Earn your leadership every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/earn-your-leadership-every-day/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [Leaders aren't born they are made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/leaders-aren-t-born-they-are-made/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [Leadership is lifting a person's vision to high sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/leadership-is-lifting-a-person-s-vision-to-high-sights-the-raising-of/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [The building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-building-of-a-personality-beyond-its-normal-limitations/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [“I can't give you the sunset, but I can give you the night.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-mccarthy/i-can-t-give-you-the-sunset-but-i-can-give-you-the-night/) [Erin McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-mccarthy/) > [You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-hesburgh/you-can-t-blow-an-uncertain-trumpet/) [Theodore Hesburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-hesburgh/) > [It is impossible to imagine anything which better becomes a ruler than mercy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-impossible-to-imagine-anything-which-better-becomes-a-ruler/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Be strong, but not rude; Be kind, but not weak; Be bold, but not bully; Be humble, but not timid; Be prooud, but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/be-strong-but-not-rude-be-kind-but-not-weak-be-bold-but-not-bully-be/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/management-is-efficiency-in-climbing-the-ladder-of-success/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/learners-inherit-the-earth-while-the-learned-find-themselves/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Rely on your own strength of body and soul. 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They think 'we'; they think 'team'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-leaders-who-work-most-effectively-it-seems-to-me-never-say-i-they/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buchan/the-task-of-leadership-is-not-to-put-greatness-into-people-but-to/) [John Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buchan/) > [In times of change, learners inherit the earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/in-times-of-change-learners-inherit-the-earth/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. 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Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. 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Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Best leader quotes > [A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/a-good-general-not-only-sees-the-way-to-victory-he-also-knows-when/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [My own definition of leadership is this: The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-law-montgomery/my-own-definition-of-leadership-is-this-the-capacity-and-the-will-to/) [Bernard Law Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-law-montgomery/) > [The best leaders are those who break that mission down into the organization's constituent parts, so that everybody understands their role and how it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-best-leaders-are-those-who-break-that-mission-down-into-the/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/that-s-nonsense-in-fact-the-opposite-is-true-leaders-are-made-rather/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/he-who-has-never-learned-to-obey-cannot-be-a-good-commander/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-lead-people-walk-beside-them-as-for-the-best-leaders-the-people-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is like when a player has a slump, we do not trade them, we coach them. It is the same with our employees.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/it-is-like-when-a-player-has-a-slump-we-do-not-trade-them-we-coach/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Most leaders are trying to figure out the right strategy. The best leaders are obsessed with empowering the right people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/most-leaders-are-trying-to-figure-out-the-right-strategy-the-best/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [I do spend really focused time with my wife, my kids, grandkids, and so when I'm doing something or on a golf course, work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-duke/i-do-spend-really-focused-time-with-my-wife-my-kids-grandkids-and-so/) [Mike Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-duke/) > [“Pick a leader who will keep jobs in your country by offering companies incentives to hire only within their borders, not one who allows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/pick-a-leader-who-will-keep-jobs-in-your-country-by-offering/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/management-is-efficiency-in-climbing-the-ladder-of-success/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The best leaders realize their success depends on their people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-best-leaders-realize-their-success-depends-on-their-people/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Democracy in many parts of the world is undergoing a very deep crisis. Politics is becoming a branch of the entertainment industry. People vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-oz/democracy-in-many-parts-of-the-world-is-undergoing-a-very-deep-crisis/) [Amos Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-oz/) > [Flowers flourish when they're watered, and shrivel up when they're not. People are no different. The best leaders are the ones who look for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/flowers-flourish-when-they-re-watered-and-shrivel-up-when-they-re-not/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Be strong, but not rude; Be kind, but not weak; Be bold, but not bully; Be humble, but not timid; Be prooud, but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/be-strong-but-not-rude-be-kind-but-not-weak-be-bold-but-not-bully-be/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) [Browse all 83 Best leader quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-leader/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What you do has far greater impact than what you say.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than-what-you-say/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Best leader" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than-what-you-say/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc2/stephen-covey-339_best-leader_what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than_2418670.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” — Stephen Covey", "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": "Stephen Covey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What you do has far greater...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than-what-you-say/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/what-you-do-has-far-greater-impact-than-what-you-say/#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 } } ] } ```