“Having a fiduciary duty implies an undivided loyalty to corporate interests, arguing that it's impossible to hold a fiduciary duty towards stakeholders since they are considered natural adversaries. Thus, according to the law, stakeholders are viewed as opponents.”
— Alison Taylor

The quote archive

Leadership

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

For the last 50, 100 even 200 years, almost all of the world's problems have been solved by a relatively small group of white men- and now we're bringing diversity to the challenge; we're opening out the future of our world to several billion people not just a few hundred million, and with that level of entrepreneurial thinking capacity I would see our civilisation growing exponentially, and that gives me hope.

— Ian Bremmer

Founder of Eurasia Group & Political Risk Analyst

Todays' politicians can't lead public opinion, because they're frightened of it – and we're so consumed by constitutional crises, that there's just no real chance that politicians can give these issues sufficient thought.

— Darren McGarvey

Scottish Writer, Broadcaster & Anti-Poverty Activist & Poet

You must call yourself out for who you're not, and that's where you start to grow. That's where you can really fix the problems in your life when you recognise that.

— David Goggins

Ultramarathon Runner, Navy SEAL, & Motivational Speaker

You have to be your own hero; that doesn't mean sticking your head up your own ass- but being accountable for who you are as a person and finding strength from within.

— David Goggins

Ultramarathon Runner, Navy SEAL, & Motivational Speaker

You have to go into a very quiet place in your mind, away from the noise of the world, the noise of doubters, insecurities and your own self. You have to quiet your disbelief and create open mindedness to your own ability to succeed and overcome.

— David Goggins

Ultramarathon Runner, Navy SEAL, & Motivational Speaker

The sad reality is that if we tried to pass that declaration today, the UN General Assembly would fail to do so. Firstly, we don't have someone like Eleanor Roosevelt as an advocate for human rights, and where previously the US played a leadership role, Trump would no doubt block virtually every human rights pillar associated with the declaration.

— Kumi Naidoo

Environmental activist & former Executive Director of Greenpeace International

In Silicon Valley there's a sense that there are 30 individuals who are 10x more capable than most people, it's like a power law scaling of talent. If a founder has really succeeded and thrived, people think it's because of their brilliance and because they're at this super far-end of the spectrum. As a result, founders get immense leeway, capital rushes toward them and in some ways that's good.

— Nicholas Thompson

Editor-in-Chief of Wired Magazine & Cybersecurity Expert

People think these founders are all brilliant and can't make mistakes, we've found that; there's a sense that they can fix everything or have the answers for everything… they don't, and they can't.

— Kara Swisher

Tech Journalist & Co-Founder of Recode Media

We have to constantly evolve how we make an impact, and make sure that we're doing what the communities we work in want us to support rather than enforcing some kind of model. Our work has to be led by the leaders of communities telling us what will work.

— Richard Curtis

British Film Director & Screenwriter of Romantic Comedies

The key component of bravery is integrity. My father's nickname for me was, 'the brave one,' and what I saw growing up was the reality that people would often give their integrity to make life more comfortable in the short term; but guess what, that leads to your integrity being chipped away until you are left with nothing – just with the shell of who you are, and who you could have been.

— Rose McGowan

Actress & #MeToo activist who exposed Harvey Weinstein harassment

In my own experience, I have realised that diverse groups perform better and tackle challenges far more effectively than homogeneous teams. Contrary to what is happening in many parts of the world, the UAE firmly believes in and celebrates the principles of tolerance and diversity.

— Hussain Sajwani

Founder and Chairman of Damac Properties, major UAE real estate developer

I had this burning passion in me to prove to myself, and on behalf of other women, that if my voice was being stifled... and if I was being treated a certain way... that I had to stand up. What type of example would I set to other women and girls? I had to show that if you get knocked off the horse, you get right back up.

— Whitney Wolfe Herd

Founder and CEO of dating app Bumble, feminist entrepreneur

People have lost their belief in the establishment, they believe that the outsider who would bring anger and chaos is much better than the status quo; even if that is against their own interests. Fear is a great weapon, and tyrants use fear against their people to encourage them to vote for increases in military spending, even when infrastructure, education and healthcare are suffering.

— Bassem Youssef

Egyptian comedian and political satirist known for "The Daily Show" parody

So, the lesson I eventually learned was to distinguish between which teams are sincere in promoting true teamwork, and which are jingoistic self-serving pretenders. Teamwork does make the dream work, but not every team is worthy.

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer & Six-Time Champion

A little neglect may breed mischief …for want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost.

— John Wooden

Legendary Basketball Coach & Teacher, Won 10 NCAA National Championships

If you do not pull your socks on tightly, you're likely to get wrinkles in them. Wrinkles cause blisters. Blisters force players to sit on the sideline. And players sitting on the sideline lose games.

— John Wooden

Legendary Basketball Coach & Teacher, Won 10 NCAA National Championships