“When the Sheffield steel industry collapsed, incomes collapsed, and so demand in the region collapsed—businesses of all sorts, not just steel but shops and businesses that sold things to consumers. The consumers were poorer, and so businesses started to fail. Investment didn't flow into this region saying 'oh good, a depressed region.' It flowed out to the places which were booming.”
— Paul Collier
Economist specializing in poverty, conflict, and development in Africa

The quote archive

Leadership

A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.

When a coach gains the player's confidence and establishes a strong partnership, they can effectively motivate the player, boost their confidence, and help them break through barriers. This can elevate a player's career to new heights.

— Patrick Mouratoglou

Tennis coach who famously coached Serena Williams

Our role as coaches is essentially to help players utilise 100% of their potential. That, to me, is the essence of our job.

— Patrick Mouratoglou

Tennis coach who famously coached Serena Williams

I believe that making players conform to a rigid system would lead to the loss of many potentially great talents, with only a handful thriving. Out of respect for the players, I opted for a different approach – selecting fewer players but offering highly personalized training.

— Patrick Mouratoglou

Tennis coach who famously coached Serena Williams

This principle demands careful consideration of protection that must be given to civilians and civilian property, balancing military objectives against foreseeable collateral damage. This balance cannot be made by a formulaic algorithm – there isn't one – but by human judgment. In recent decades, it has become apparent that that human judgement is assisted by legal advisors who play a crucial role in these decisions, offering guidance on the legality of military actions.

— Sir Geoffrey Nice KC

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

At Stanford University School of Medicine, we seek individuals who are not only masters in their current roles but also visionaries passionate about shaping the future of their fields. We value those who strive to turn their visions into reality. Moreover, we prioritise collaboration. It's crucial to have team members who, while honing their skills daily, are also bold enough to think outside the box—or even question its existence.

— Lloyd B. Minor

Dean of Stanford School of Medicine & cardiovascular researcher

Projects often don't just go wrong; they start wrong. The seeds of failure are often sown right at the beginning, leading to problems later on. Recognising this, successful project leaders invest in thorough planning and simulation upfront, understanding that a project's success is largely determined by how it starts.

— Bent Flyvbjerg

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

The greatest risk often lies in people's biased perceptions of risk itself. These biases, both psychological and political, tend to lead to a dangerous underestimation of risk. Our advice, backed by data and methodologies we've developed, is focused on debiasing risk.

— Bent Flyvbjerg

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

They should foster a culture where bad news is welcomed, not just good news. Unfortunately, many leaders shy away from negative updates. However, if a leader inadvertently suppresses bad news, creating a culture where the messenger is punished, it results in a dysfunctional governance structure.

— Bent Flyvbjerg

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

They don't just dive into a project; they begin by exploring its purpose. If they're working with a client, their first question is often, 'Why are you undertaking this project?' They don't move forward until they have a clear understanding of this 'why', dedicating considerable time to uncover its various facets.

— Bent Flyvbjerg

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

Only 8.5% of projects meet or exceed their time and budget expectations. This means that a staggering 91.5% fail to stay within budget or meet deadlines. However, the situation becomes even more pronounced when we consider the primary goal of these projects: delivering promised benefits. Shockingly, a mere 0.5% achieve this goal within the allocated budget and timeframe.

— Bent Flyvbjerg

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

As a young athlete, there was a focus on personal achievements – it was all about me, my goals, and my 'little kingdom.' However, with age and more life experience, my perspective broadened. It's about the knowledge and experiences I've gained being actively reinvested into the world before I pass away.

— Stef Reid

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

My aspiration, both pre- and post-accident, has always been to fully embrace life's offerings. For me, success isn't about the endpoint; it's about the journey – the growth from where I began and the rich stories gathered along the way. I'm passionate about setting ambitious goals, committing fully, and approaching them with courage and audacity.

— Stef Reid

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

Each step I've taken was possible not solely through my own efforts but because of the profound support, trust, and camaraderie extended by many others. We've embarked on this journey together, and it's a path of continuous learning for me. I choose to focus on living my life with the intention of making meaningful contributions.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

What we urgently need is to cultivate a positive narrative, to energize and unite us in a collective movement. This isn't about asking everyone to do the same thing; rather, it's about fostering a 'movement of movements.' We encourage everyone to persist in their individual efforts, with the understanding that they are part of a larger, progressive force striving for a better world.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

We advocate for a 'feminist moonshot' approach, symbolized by the dandelion. The dandelion, a resilient flower and weed found on all continents, symbolizes our efforts. Despite its reputation as a nuisance, it's a plant I've grown to admire for its beauty, deep-rooting ability that rejuvenates the soil, and its edible qualities. Its seeds, spread by children, represent the spreading of our positive narrative towards a cleaner, healthier, more equitable world.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

What excites me the most is offering something tangible that people can apply immediately to enhance their performance—not something that will start showing results a year down the line. There's a common misconception that improvement is complex and time-consuming. My goal is to change this mindset, guiding people to focus on specific, actionable steps they can take today.

— Dr. Dana Sinclair