“Compare the 1600s to the present day, and what we do now would seem like magic to people from that era. That just shows you how dramatic the transformation of society has been as a result of science and technological advances.”— Venki Ramakrishnan
The quote archive
A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.
When the first real version of the game came to life on my screen—without any decorations, scoring, or anything, just the playing field and the pieces—I couldn't stop playing. I realized there was something truly magical about the game. But I could never have imagined what it would become; that was one of the biggest surprises.
— Alexey PajitnovCreator of Tetris, the iconic video game
Transformation is about understanding how the market is evolving and positioning your organization for the future that's unfolding. It's about ensuring that you're there when that future arrives.
— Ron ShaichFounder and former CEO of Panera Bread Company
Being an entrepreneur, or even running a large organization, is like being a society builder. The system is bigger than any individual. When you build a business, you're architecting and constructing something substantial.
— Ron ShaichFounder and former CEO of Panera Bread Company
I can't make people do anything. What I can do is find the right people—those who fit the culture—and let their humanity shine. Then, I need to create the support and mechanisms for that to happen.
— Ron ShaichFounder and former CEO of Panera Bread Company
The job of an entrepreneur or a competitive leader is to create the conditions that make your organisation the better competitive alternative. All your efforts should be directed towards marshalling and channelling resources—human and intellectual capital—towards being the best competitive alternative.
— Ron ShaichFounder and former CEO of Panera Bread Company
If you don't love the act of doing, you'll never find happiness. If your motivation is glory or money, you're bound to be disappointed. If you're more excited about lunch with investment bankers than dealing with the day-to-day realities, you'll end up unhappy.
— Ron ShaichFounder and former CEO of Panera Bread Company
STS-93, the mission where we launched the Chandra telescope, was conceived 25 years before we launched it. Someone had that vision long before it became a reality. This long-term perspective is essential.
— Cady ColemanNASA Astronaut & Space Shuttle Mission Specialist
I think that if you care about something, then you have a mission. Knowing that, and that your specific set of skills and experience brings something special to that mission, are key.
— Cady ColemanNASA Astronaut & Space Shuttle Mission Specialist
Mental resilience comes from knowing, deep down, that you're supposed to be where you are. Confidence in your purpose is crucial. By focusing on the next step while keeping the big picture in mind, you can effectively accomplish the mission.
— Cady ColemanNASA Astronaut & Space Shuttle Mission Specialist
Being underestimated often brings out the best in me. It's not just about overcoming insecurity but leveraging it as a catalyst to ensure that I bring everything I have to the mission and that I muster the courage to show people who I really am.
— Cady ColemanNASA Astronaut & Space Shuttle Mission Specialist
We need to challenge the notion that if you don't feel like a superhero, then you must not be the right person for the job. Today's most important challenges are met by teams of people, as opposed to a single superhero.
— Cady ColemanNASA Astronaut & Space Shuttle Mission Specialist
Trust is the golden thread that runs through not just a kidnap negotiation or a business deal, but life in general. It takes a long time to build, but it's lost in an instant. Trust is about following through—doing what you say you're going to do.
— Scott WalkerWisconsin Governor and 2016 Presidential Candidate
Self-awareness—the ability to emotionally self-regulate, which is the number one skill of the world's best negotiators. It's about tapping into your red centre and asking, 'What's really showing up for me right now?' It's about recognizing your biases, unhelpful thinking, or negative intentions.
— Scott WalkerWisconsin Governor and 2016 Presidential Candidate
There's a place deep inside all of us that we can access no matter what we're facing—personally or professionally. No matter the adversity, challenge, or overwhelming circumstances, there's a place within us that helps us feel strong, stable, grounded, and centered. And it doesn't take much to access it.
— Scott WalkerWisconsin Governor and 2016 Presidential Candidate
Most people misunderstand what a negotiation is. In my experience, it's simply a conversation with a purpose. We tend to rush to problem-solving, eager to reach the solution, often leapfrogging several important steps. But to get the best possible deal for everyone, it starts with the right mindset.
— Scott WalkerWisconsin Governor and 2016 Presidential Candidate
I think it's that dynamic of information coming from your trusted peer. This has always been the source of the most trusted information. Your reinforcement is coming from people that you like, people that you trust. And you're shaping and having that discussion amongst yourselves.
— Renée DiRestaDisinformation researcher and Stanford Internet Observatory fellow studying online manipulation