“We tend to go deeper with that in terms of specific facial expressions, body language, and vocal tone. And I think what's important to know there is that we often make a lot of mistakes when we're reading other people's emotions because we bring in our own cultural values, our own belief systems, and we oftentimes project emotions onto people as opposed to really knowing how they're feeling.”
— Marc Brackett
Psychologist & Director of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

The quote archive

Leadership

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

My wife Freada coined a phrase, distance travelled. We're very interested in where somebody started in life, and what hurdles and barriers they have already overcome in their journey – and how that grit has got them to where they are now.

— Mitch Kapor

Founder of Lotus Software & Digital Rights Pioneer

The court is primarily interested in the effort made, in the attempt. That is what truly counts.

— Maurice Saatchi

Co-Founder of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Agency

The reality is – you can't accomplish anything unless you're all in emotionally, physically… you have to put it all on the table. You can't just put a little part of you out there in case you get hurt… guess what… everything about competition will hurt.

— Sally Fitzgibbons

Professional surfer and multiple-time world championship competitor

If you're loosening the controls you've established simply because this person's exceptional skills or accomplishments bring you pleasure, you're encountering your first significant red flag. It's a major one that shouldn't be ignored.

— Kelly Richmond Pope

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

The accidental perpetrator is a team player. Their involvement in misconduct isn't driven by personal greed, but could result from simply following orders from higher-ups, a commitment to their team, or an unwavering loyalty to a CEO or CFO. However, such blind obedience could inadvertently lead to involvement in fraudulent activities.

— Kelly Richmond Pope

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

There are individuals within organizations who seem untouchable, be they extraordinarily successful salespeople or powerhouse CEOs. These individuals often appear to be above the rules, even above the law. They're given latitude due to the exceptional value they bring to the organization.

— Kelly Richmond Pope

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

I believe wisdom can be seen as a beacon, guiding us towards the noble, beautiful, and authentic aspects of life. It's the mark of a wise individual to have a clear understanding of their path, a path that not only promotes positivity but also steers others towards it.

— Kevin Kelly

Founding Executive Editor of Wired Magazine & Technology Thinker

What truly captured my imagination was his audacious courage to accept the universe as it truly was, despite the daunting consequences that loomed over him. This portrayal imbued in me a sense of science as a form of heroism.

— Lawrence Krauss

Theoretical Physicist & Public Advocate for Science and Atheism

Focusing on education about the past serves a dual purpose: it humbles us by revealing our past missteps, while simultaneously broadening our perspective on what is achievable. Ultimately, it's this duality that encapsulates the invaluable role of education in shaping our future.

— General H.R. McMaster

U.S. National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump

This pattern of thinking, unfortunately, has bred a considerable amount of mediocrity within businesses. It's time to reassess these beliefs to fully leverage human potential, transforming not only our businesses but also the lives of those who contribute to their success.

— Zeynep Ton

MIT Professor & Author on Retail Operations & Low-Wage Work

Typically, when you ask a business person about their progress, their immediate response tends to revolve around growth figures – 'We're 20% up from last year' – under the assumption that growth equates to robustness and sustainability. However, empirical evidence doesn't support this assumption.

— Professor Alex Hill

A pervasive sentiment among high-performing organisations is the fear of failure. I sought the opinions of numerous high performers on who they admired or found interesting and surprisingly, none mentioned a business.

— Professor Alex Hill

Undeniably, joining a flourishing company vastly differs from joining a struggling one, just as there's a significant contrast between building a company with the intention to sell and constructing one with the goal of passing it on.

— Professor Alex Hill

I realised that my passion lay in the realm of high performance, irrespective of the context, and the sustainability of such performance was a fascinating query. This question is invariably present in the minds of leaders in great organisations.

— Professor Alex Hill

Contributing to society comes in many forms. Meaningful careers not only fulfil our team members but also drive the broader economy as employees become taxpayers. This virtuous circle is a fundamental contribution to society.

— Ajaz Ahmed

Our company has always been guided by our foundational values: innovation, service, quality, and thought. We believe in embodying these values through our actions, rather than merely discussing them.

— Ajaz Ahmed