Quote

A whale is as unique as a cactus. But don't ask a whale to survive Death Valley. We all have special gifts. Where we use them and how determines whether we actually complete something.

Max De Pree

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Max De Pree
Age: 92 †
Born: 1924
Born: October 28
Died: 2017
Died: August 8
Business Executive
Writer
Special
Determines
Asks
Valleys
Actually
Gifts
Whether
Survive
Use
Diversity
Cactus
Death
Determine
Whale
Something
Complete
Whales
Unique
Valley

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Everyone in a successful organization must be willing and ready to risk. Risk is like change it's not a choice.
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When trust permeates a ministry, great things are possible, not the least of which is an opportunity to reach the ministry's potential.
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In some South Pacific cultures, a speaker holds a conch shell as a symbol of temporary position of authority. Leaders must understand who holds the conch-that is, who should be listened to and when.
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Understanding and accepting diversity enables us to see that each of us is needed.. It also enables us to begin to think about being abandoned to the strengths of others, of admitting that we cannot know or do everything.
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When things go awry, trust powers the generators until the problem is fixed.
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We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.
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Innovation is the lifeblood of an organization. Knowing how to lead and work with creative people requires knowledge and action that often goes against the typical organizational structure. Protect unusual people from bureaucracy and legalism typical of organizations.
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Leadership is liberating people to do what is required of them in the most effective and humane way possible.
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Leaders should leave behind them assets and a legacy.
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We see a decline of civility, and, sadly, it’s often modeled by the very people from whom we have the least right to expect it.
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A team of giants needs giant pitchers who throw good ideas but every pitcher needs an outstanding catcher. Without giant catchers, the ideas of the giant pitchers may eventually disappear.
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We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet and amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog has made an alliance with us.
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Intimacy is at the heart of competence. It has to do with understanding, with believing, and with practice. It has to do with the relationship to one's work.
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Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do.
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The greatest thing is, at any moment, to be willing to give up who we are in order to become all that we can be.
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Integrity in all things precedes all else. The open demonstration of integrity is essential.
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Without forgiveness, there can be no real freedom to act within a group.
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In most vital organizations, there is a common bond of interdependence, mutual interest, interlocking contributions, and simple joy.
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The simple act of recognizing diversity in corporate life helps us to connect the great variety of gifts that people bring to the work and service of the corporation.
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Sometimes we think we're a little too gifted to show up, yo uknow. But none of us truly is...By avoiding risk we really risk what's most important in life---reaching toward growth, our potential, and a true contribution to a common good.
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