Sublime

a director in a theater production must exercise both the functions of authority—maintaining equilibrium within the social group—and the practice of leadership—mobilizing the social system to create a new reality.

The more I learned, the more I realized that the usual way of looking at groups and leadership, as separate phenomena, was no longer adequate. The most exciting groups—the ones, like those chronicled in this book, that shook the world—resulted from a mutually respectful marriage between an able leader and an assemblage of extraordinary people. Grou

Great Groups have some odd things in common. For example, they tend to do their brilliant work in spartan, even shabby, surroundings.

Golden Rule, a new type of manager had evolved: a communicator, not a commander; a coach, not a cop.

Johnson had certain characteristics that no leader of a Great Group is without. He loved excellence, and, as a result, he had an unerring eye for talent. And because he understood why talented people work, he was able to create an environment in which they thrived.

good leader is simplistic, not complex. He makes things seem simple. He’s persistent. If he can’t convince his people and he really thinks it ought to be done, he’ll find a different way to come at them until either they convince him, or he them. He’s fair and has a sense of humor, and he has humility. If you ever become chief executive, remember:Y

If you’re the boss and your people fight you openly when they think you’re wrong—that’s healthy. If your men fight each other openly in your presence for what they believe in—that’s healthy. But keep all the conflict eyeball to eyeball

so Townsend was a bit controversial. But that’s a characteristic of great leadership, and Bob didn’t back down when critics turned up the heat. He didn’t care what people thought about him personally; what he cared about was creating an organization that was both profitable and an exciting place to work.