“There is no such thing as a perfect leader. We have to learn to lead ourselves.” 

I've got to tell you what, the soldier doesn't fight very hard for a leader who is going to shoot him, okay, on his own whim. That's not what military leadership is all about.

To be an effective leader, you have to have a manipulative streak - you have to figure out the people working for you and give each tasks that will take advantage of his strength.

“You learn far more from negative leadership than from positive leadership. Because you learn how not to do it. And, therefore, you learn how to do it.” 

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” 

“There is no such thing as a perfect leader. We have to learn to lead ourselves.” 

“I've noticed that great political leaders are energized by conflict. I'm energized by listening to people's stories and trying to figure out shared solutions. That's the work of an organizer.” 

I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend.

May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership… Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause.

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.

In the long run, your human capital is your main base of competition. Your leading indicator of where you're going to be 20 years from now is how well you're doing in your education system.

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.