“A lot of entrepreneurs don't make that switch. They cling to that brand identity of 'I'm an innovator,' still tinkering with the product while everyone else is saying, 'Hey, it's good enough — let's hire our first salesperson.' So when you're not really thinking about the alignment between your role and your identity, that's when problems can start.”
— Martin Dubin

The quote archive

Society

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

We wouldn't want to live in a world of full transparency. That is a world where I can see into your brain, and you into mine. We all need privacy for our thoughts, and inside government we need politicians and advisers to be able to explore ideas in private.

— Professor Sir David Omand

Former UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator & National Security Adviser

We need to give women the freedom and confidence to believe and be whatever they want to. This isn't just about business, but about social conditioning in all cultures.

— Jacqueline Gold

Founder and former CEO of Ann Summers lingerie and party plan business

As a nation, we're missing out by not being more flexible, accommodating and encouraging and I think lockdown has- at least- brought about that one piece of positive change.

— Jacqueline Gold

Founder and former CEO of Ann Summers lingerie and party plan business

I'm extremely proud of the fact that we have driven social and cultural change. I have always wanted women to be empowered, and we've given them that opportunity.

— Jacqueline Gold

Founder and former CEO of Ann Summers lingerie and party plan business

I was a young mother with 2 small daughters and saw that the planet I was bringing my children into was one that was already severely diminished compared to the planet I received from my parents. How can any parent want their children to inherit a planet that's worse than the one they received?

— Christiana Figueres

Former UN Climate Change Executive Secretary & Global Climate Action Leader

To break the silence around sexual abuse, more people need to speak about it… normalise it… and by doing so, hopefully we can start to get our children talking, and make some real progress to eliminate these acts from our society.

— Kalki Koechlin

Indian actress known for independent films and *Chandni Bar* role

You don't need to be a celebrity to suffer from what social media does to you; it's happening to everyone. For me, I have to find a routine and discipline with how I use my public image.

— Kalki Koechlin

Indian actress known for independent films and *Chandni Bar* role

Cinema and drama are also changing perceptions in India. This certainly happened with Made in Heaven which was commercially entertaining, but had a main character who was Gay. It blew everyone away and started an important conversation which was really encouraging.

— Kalki Koechlin

Indian actress known for independent films and *Chandni Bar* role

I think you're going to see impact models that challenge many of our incumbent industries. The most vulnerable in our society are currently overcharged because the system assumes, they are higher-risk, and so those in our society who are least able to afford charges, are being charged huge overdraft and borrowing rates.

— Sir Ronald Cohen

Founder of Social Venture Network & Pioneer of Social Impact Investing

It really turns our economies away from risk-return (where they create profit without counting the huge damage they cause) to risk-return-impact (where impact is measured alongside profit and reflected in the value of companies).

— Sir Ronald Cohen

Founder of Social Venture Network & Pioneer of Social Impact Investing

What's beautiful is when you're filling your bank account and your soul account. There are two accounts! Look, I like money, I like fame… I happen to be rich and famous… I don't apologise for those things, nor do I boohoo them or approach my appreciation for them with false modesty.

— Matthew McConaughey

Academy Award-Winning Actor Known for Dallas Buyers Club Role

We're such a 'more is better' culture and we have to redefine what we value, what creates satisfaction, and the 'currency' of our lives. In America, what are we told are the two most important things we need in life? Money and fame, baby! That's fine, but you can't chase those goals at the expense of your own character, that makes you a paper tiger, a fool.

— Matthew McConaughey

Academy Award-Winning Actor Known for Dallas Buyers Club Role

The only way social media can work is if you are incredibly authentic. If you try and cultivate and curate too much it can be very obvious and transparent.

— Sophie Ellis-Bextor

British Pop Singer & "Murder on the Dancefloor" Artist

When we're in this situation, under all these restrictions and lockdowns, our emotions have been dialled down. We can't spend our emotional energy on the things we normally would- like having friends over for dinner. We have to be good citizens, and music gives us a place to put that energy.

— Sophie Ellis-Bextor

British Pop Singer & "Murder on the Dancefloor" Artist

If you want other people to open their minds, you have to open yours too.

— Adam Grant

Organizational psychologist & bestselling author on work culture and human potential

Too often when we find someone disagreeing with us, our question is about why. Why do you believe this ridiculous thing? What tends to work better is a how question... This kind of approach helps to view the real complexity of a situation and reveals gaps in knowledge.

— Adam Grant

Organizational psychologist & bestselling author on work culture and human potential