Robert K. Greenleaf Quotes

12 Sourced Quotes

Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much.

Robert K. Greenleaf
For the person with creative potential there is no wholeness except in using it.

Robert K. Greenleaf
Love without laughter can be grim and oppressive. Laughter without love can be derisive and venomous. Together they make for greatness of spirit.

Robert K. Greenleaf
One must not be afraid of a little silence. Some find silence awkward or oppressive. But a relaxed approach to dialogue will include the welcoming of some silence. It is often a devastating question to ask oneself, but it is sometimes important to ask it - 'In saying what I have in mind will I really improve on the silence?

Robert K. Greenleaf
Faith is the choice of the nobler hypothesis.' Not the noblest, one never knows what that is. But the nobler, the best one can see when the choice is made.

Robert K. Greenleaf
Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?.

Robert K. Greenleaf
The work exists for the person as much as the person exists for the work.

Robert K. Greenleaf
Not much happens without a dream. And for something great to happen, there must be a great dream. Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams. Much more than a dreamer is required to bring it to reality; but the dream must be there first.

Robert K. Greenleaf
Even the frankest and bravest of subordinates do not talk with their boss the same way they talk with colleagues.

Robert K. Greenleaf
A Leader is one who ventures and takes the risks of going out ahead to show the way and whom others follow, voluntarily, because they are persuaded that the leader's path is the right one-for them, probably better than they could devise for themselves.

Robert K. Greenleaf
Who is the enemy? Who is holding back more rapid movement to the better society that is reasonable and possible with available resources?...Evil, stupidity, apathy, the 'system' are not the enemy...The real enemy is fuzzy thinking on the part of good, intelligent, vital people...In short, the enemy is strong natural servants who have the potential to lead but do not lead, or who choose to follow a non-servant.

Robert K. Greenleaf
The quality of a society will be judged by what the least privileged in it achieves.

Robert K. Greenleaf