Inspirational Quotes from Our Readers

Last week, I asked readers to email me inspirational quotes they would like to share with other readers. Your response was overwhelming! Thank you!
 
I have loosely grouped the quotes into themes based on their meaning as well as the characteristics of those readers who sent them (and provided me with permission to use their names).
 
I hope that both the quotes and the leadership qualities of those who submitted them inspire you!
 
Living by example
 
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Jered Wieland is a highly capable leader in the Midwest region of Billy Casper Golf. He does not ask more of his people than he himself gives.  They go the extra mile for him because they see his dedication to the team.
 
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count…It's the life in your years."

I was a colleague of Sharon Alexander’s and greatly admire her composure, quiet confidence, and cooperative and dutiful manner.  She was a positive role model to her team as well as all of us.  Everyone could count on Sharon for good and timely work, and her consistency and reliability. Her years have definitely been full of life.
 
“Every day you are given 24 golden hours. The hours are given free of charge. But, if you had all the money in the world, you could not buy another hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? Remember you must use it, since it is only given once and is gone at the end of the day. Once wasted, you can never get it back.”

 
Rick Fischer is a highly capable attorney who is renown throughout the country, yet is a person without an ego and no personal agenda.  He is superb at what he does, yet has no pretenses. He is simply salt of the earth as a person and a friend.
 
Leadership
 
“Hire great people, and allow them the freedom to be awesome.”

Mike Lombardi is one of one the best natural leaders I know. As a superb catcher and captain of Georgetown's baseball team, a minor league ball player, and founder of a baseball academy in the New York city area, Mike’s “we can do this” attitude brings out the best in his teammates.
 
"The opposite of success is not failure, it is conformity."

Reader Matt Wey is a highly respected leader at Marsh. He is a servant leader who not only sets high expectations for himself and others but who also helps those people succeed, provided us with a quote about the importance of individual thinking.
 
"What's important to my boss; fascinates me!"

Joan Sherman founded her own practice to help people find career opportunities that align with their strengths and passions.  She notes that this quote is all about leaders who truly and consistently "walk the talk" by modeling behaviors that are noticed and followed. I remember our very first conversation years ago when I asked Joan the key to her success and she responded, "I always return phone calls immediately."  That is indicative of Joan's attitude, founded on helping others.
 
Persistence
“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.”

 
Mike Simpson is a dedicated insurance claims professional with Specialty Claims Service, a division of Porter & Curtis who is enthused about helping his clients and serving their needs through his straightforward approach, i.e., no fluff or over promising.  He just levels with people. He found this quote on a tea bag and notes that we never know where we’ll find inspiration!
 
“Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.”

 
“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

 
Meg McGivney is the founder of My Friend Meg, a personal concierge service in Chicago. Her great idea, entrepreneurial spirit, responsiveness to her clients, and her positive outlook will continue to serve her well in her business and personal lives.  She is a persistent doer.
 
Learning & Listening
 
“Winners take responsibility, losers blame others!”

Clay Parcells, an accomplished leadership coach, has a great work ethic and a strong sense of humility, which enables him to always want to learn, grow and get better. We could all benefit from that spirit and philosophy.
 
“Whenever you are speaking, you are not learning.”

Peter Hill is a highly successful CEO who founded Billy Casper Golf, a golf course management company that is the largest and best in its field. Peter has built an amazing team of highly intelligent, dedicated professionals. Peter's quotation reflects his inherent desire to learn, ask others for ideas and opinions, and strive for continuous improvement—his own and his team's.
 
“It's difficult to dislike someone when you get to know his or her story.”

Al Ritter is a leadership consultant and author. If you have not read Al's book, The 100/0 Principle, do yourself a favor and read it.  It’s a quick read full of great wisdom and insight.  If you live in the Chicago area and can meet Al, your life will be better for it.  He is a great success in business with all the right values.
 
Extra quotes & quotes provided by anonymous readers:
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."
"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be."

 
“The great mark of a leader is how well his/her team performs when they are absent.”

 
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than one’s fear.”  

 
"The Will of God can never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you."

 
"A true leader…
Acts with Courage
Shows Respect
Gets involved
Is Accountable everyday"

 
"Everything is going to be alright in the end, so if it's not alright, then it is not yet the end."