Quotes about Leadership
I wrote the Dune series because I had this idea that charismatic leaders ought to come with a warning label on their forehead: May be dangerous to your health. One of the most dangerous presidents we had in this century was John Kennedy because people said Yes Sir Mr. Charismatic Leader what do we do next? and we wound up in Vietnam. And I think probably the most valuable president of this century was Richard Nixon. Because he taught us to distrust government and he did it by example.
— Frank Herbert
A world is supported by four things... the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the righteous and the valor of the brave. But all of these are as nothing...without a ruler who knows the art of ruling.
— Frank Herbert
I must rule with eye and claw — as the hawk among lesser birds. - Duke Leto Atreides
— Frank Herbert
They'll call me Muad'Dib, 'The One Who Points the Way'.
— Frank Herbert
The tribal commander must lose no face among those who should obey him.
— Frank Herbert
A world is supported by four things…." She held up four big-knuckled fingers. "…the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the righteous and the valor of the brave. But all of these are as nothing…." She closed her fingers into a fist. "…without a ruler who knows the art of ruling. Make that
— Frank Herbert
We should grant power over our affairs only to those reluctant to hold it, and only under conditions that increase that reluctance.
— Frank Herbert
The problem with leadership is that leaders are human beings. And when they make mistakes, their mistakes are amplified by the numbers who follow without question.
— Frank Herbert
A bad administrator is more concerned with reports than with decisions. He wants the hard record which he can display as an excuse for his errors." "And good administrators?
— Frank Herbert
It requires good government. That does not depend upon laws or precedent, but upon the personal qualities of whoever governs.
— Frank Herbert
Good administrators make immediate choices." "Acceptable choices?" "They usually can be made to work. A bad administrator, on the other hand, hesitates, diddles around, asks for committees, for research and reports. Eventually, he acts in ways which create serious problems.
— Frank Herbert
Command must always look confident, he thought. All that faith riding on your shoulders while you sit in the critical seat and never show it.
— Frank Herbert