The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first.

Love without laughter can be grim and oppressive. Laughter without love can be derisive and venomous. Together they make for greatness of spirit.

Purpose and laughter are the twins that must not separate. Each is empty without the other.

Where there is not community, trust, respect, ethical behavior are difficult for the young to learn and for the old to maintain.

Don't assume, because you are intelligent, able, and well-motivated, that you are open to communication, that you know how to listen.

The work exists for the person as much as the person exists for the work.

Nothing much happens without a dream. For something really great to happen, it takes a really great dream.

Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams.

Ego can’t sleep. It micro-manages. It disempowers. It reduces our capability. It excels in control.

On an important decision one rarely has 100% of the information needed for a good decision no matter how much one spends or how long one waits. And, if one waits too long, he has a different problem and has to start all over. This is the terrible dilemma of the hesitant decision maker.

One must not be afraid of a little silence. Some find silence awkward or oppressive. But a relaxed approach to dialogue will include the welcoming of some silence. It is often a devastating question to ask oneself, but it is sometimes important to ask it - 'In saying what I have in mind will I really improve on the silence?

The best leaders are clear. They continually light the way, and in the process, let each person know that what they do makes a difference. The best test as a leader is: Do those served grow as persons do they become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become leaders?

Good leaders must first become good servants.