What is it that keeps great leaders ticking? Well, we can answer that—it’s because they have some solid advice that they live by. Whether it’s leading a nation through a war or simply running the White House, their advice is guaranteed to give you a fresh perspective on our daily grind. Let’s look at ten timeless tips that might just make your day.
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Embrace Change – John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was a strong believer in looking ahead. He once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Essentially, JFK wanted us to be ready for the future—to embrace it and not fear the unknown. He taught us to evolve and to be open to new ideas.
Seek Unity – Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower once argued that real victories aren’t cheap, saying, “There is no victory at bargain basement prices.” He knew that true success comes from people working together, not from shortcuts or going it alone. In his view, we should unite & collaborate to pool our efforts for something bigger than ourselves.
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Focus on the Future – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt told us, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” during the Great Depression. Beyond simply being brave, he wanted us to understand that we shouldn’t let fear stop us from moving forward. Instead, FDR’s words remind us to keep our eyes on the prize and not get overwhelmed by our anxieties.
Respect Integrity – Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel has frequently spoken about staying grounded & real, saying things like, “Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are.” It sounds a little confusing—but it’s not. Merkel encourages us to be our authentic selves, constantly growing & improving without getting pretentious. We should be humble yet ambitious.
Lead by Example – Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was one of the greatest presidents in American history and he had some pretty interesting things to say about being in charge. He said, “The leader leads and the boss drives.” He believed that real leadership is about inspiration, not domination. For anyone in a position of influence, these words are golden.
Keep Your Eye on the Goal – Harry S. Truman
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit,” is something Harry S. Truman once said. As a former president, he knew the deal with leading a country—sometimes you’ve got to play it cool & let others take the spotlight. We could learn from this. Instead of personal glory, we should focus on getting things done.
Never Stop Learning – Margaret Thatcher
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had a sharp wit and wasn’t shy about sharing her knowledge with other people. She once joked, “You and I come by road or rail but economists travel on infrastructure.” What she meant was that we should get to know the basics first and then build up from there. Keep your brain on its toes!
Do Your Part – Ronald Reagan
Once upon a time, Ronald Reagan said, “We can’t help everyone but everyone can help someone.” Even though these words are pretty famous, that doesn’t make them any less important. He wanted us all to do what we could to lend a hand because pushing for positive vibes & actions is always helpful, even if they seem small.
Be the Change – Barack Obama
As America’s first Black president, it’s no surprise that Barack Obama was a big believer in stepping up and making things happen. He told us, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Don’t wait for someone else to fix things—get in there and do it yourself.
Stick to Your Principles – Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter always kept it real and he had a strong moral compass to help him do it. He once said, “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” What did he mean? Essentially, no matter how crazy the world gets, sticking to your guns (ethically speaking) is the best course of action.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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