As President’s Day approaches, there’s an opportunity to reflect on the number of great leaders America has had. They haven’t all been superstars, including some on this list. But in nearly 250 years of history, the country has benefitted from the remarkable leadership of some great men.
Here are quotes from US Presidents that give important advice on effective leadership:
1. “When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.” -; Thomas Jefferson
2. “Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” -; Andrew Jackson
3. “It’s easier to do a job right, than to explain why you didn’t.” -; Martin Van Buren
4. “Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country’s peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.” -; James K. Polk
5. “It would be judicious to act with magnanimity towards a prostrate foe.” -; Zachary Taylor
6. “An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory.” -; Millard Fillmore
7. “The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.” -; James Buchanan
8. “There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They have the gift of kindness or courage or loyalty or integrity. It really matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a family. They teach the truth by living it.” -; James Garfield
9. “People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” -; Theodore Roosevelt
10. “I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.” -; Woodrow Wilson
11. “It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” -; Franklin Roosevelt
12. “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” -; Harry S Truman
13. “You do not lead by hitting people over the head. Any damn fool can do that, but it’s usually called ‘assault’ – not ‘leadership.’” -; Dwight D. Eisenhower
14. “In a crisis, be aware of the danger-but recognize the opportunity.” -; John F. Kennedy
15. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” -; Ronald Reagan