Click to Print

Best Inspirational Words From Business Leaders in 2012

December 31, 2012

URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225285

Slide 1 of 14

Running a company is like playing a video game.

"Running a company is like playing a really great SimCity. You set the right foundations in place, hire awesome people and move from office to slightly larger office and increase perks and amenities."
--James Park, CEO, Fitbit

Slide 2 of 14

A leader should take the secrecy away.

"Politics comes from secrecy. The leadership of the company--who has all the information--has the power to change that. It's the leader who can tell all the employees everything, and by so doing, take the secrecy away."

--Mark Leslie, former chairman and CEO, Veritas Software

Slide 3 of 14

Having fun makes you more innovative.

"I found the more fun I created in the company, the more creative and innovative it became. That was the big kahuna--the fun piece."

--Barbara Corcoran, founder, The Corcoran Group

Slide 4 of 14

Praise good work to keep employees happy.

"What praise ultimately does is hold up a mirror. It acknowledges what people already think about themselves: that they're good at what they do. You're making someone happy and fulfilled and more excited to work with you. And for almost no effort at all."

--Ross McCammon, the Esquire guy

Articles by R oss McCammon

Slide 5 of 14

Believe that you are No. 1.

"I like to say we're 'justifiably confident.' But really, who wants to work with No. 2? If you don't believe you're No. 1 and don't believe you can build the best products and services, why would anyone else want to work with you?"

--Ben Lamm, CEO, Chaotic Moon

Slide 6 of 14

Taking the more difficult road will have the bigger impact.

"You're not just trying to do something marginally, incrementally better. You're doing something that is a fundamental paradigm shift, that will have exponential impact. That means it's harder to do, but ultimately, if it's successful, the impact it has is far greater."

--Steve Case, founder, Revolution

Slide 7 of 14

Small businesses have the same problems as the big guys.

"Mom-and-pop businesses have the same issues as the Fortune 500. The difference is that big companies spend millions on consultants to fix them."

--Christopher Myers, CEO, BodeTree

Slide 8 of 14

Conquer the insurmountable.

"The key to our success is focusing on one insurmountable task each day and surmounting the hell out of it. It's tenacity--that's what powers the entrepreneurial spirit."

--Jackie Summers, co-founder, Jack from Brooklyn

Slide 9 of 14

Learn to be a coach and mentor.

"The entrepreneur has to go from a control freak to a trusting manager to an emotionally intelligent coach and mentor."

--Ed Hess, professor at University of Virginia'sDarden School of Business

Slide 10 of 14

Act despite your fear.

"People think having courage means you have no fear. Courage is taking action despite the fear."

--Linda Sapadin, psychologist

Slide 11 of 14

Give your brand an emotional connection.

"A lot of business owners fall in love with their own product and forget that other people need to be romanced by a story. A brand should make you feel something when you say the name. Without context, it's just stuff."

--Mike Bisceglia, president, Stauer

Slide 12 of 14

Redirect the agenda.

"If you're an entrepreneur entering a category, maybe you can't set the agenda, but if you can redirect that agenda, that's how you win. If you're going to enter a category and be a 'me too,' don't bother."

--Jim Stengel, branding consultant

Slide 13 of 14

Don't mess with moms.

"Mom bloggers are ruthless."

--Elisa Camahort Page, COO, BlogHer

Slide 14 of 14

Craft a better call to action.

"If the call to action is always 'buy, buy, buy,' that sounds like a 5-year-old saying, 'Mom, Mom, Mom' all the time."

--Michael Becker, managing director for North America, Mobile Marketing Association