“James has an impressive and extensive background in accounting and finance. His experience as CFO in two other publicly held companies also prepares him to provide the essential financial leadership we will need as we transition from a period of consolidation to a new stage of dynamic growth.”

“He's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders. He works hard every day in practice. He's a two-year captain. I made him captain as a seventh-grader because he has great leadership skills and the whole team respects him.”

It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.

“We will make Cape Town an efficiently run, world-class, God-friendly city, instead of a poorly run, gay-friendly city whose political leadership lacks credibility and does not care about the needs of its own staff nor the people of Cape Town.”

“The semiconductor industry continues to show signs of improvement in a healthier global economic environment. As the market for computing, consumer communications and Internet-related products continues to grow, we believe Applied Materials, with our technology leadership and global infrastructure, will have an excellent opportunity to capitalize on this growth.”

Exercising leadership is an expression of your aliveness... But when you cover yourself up, you risk losing something as well. In the struggle to save yourself, you can give up too many of those qualities that are the essence of being alive, like innocence, curiosity, and compassion.

Future strong leadership means being willing to stand alone. Often, the times we feel most vulnerable are when we stand alone, before others join us. When we choose to be the first voice echoing above the silence. Standing strong, alone.

Timing is a critical issue when it comes to succession. Passing the baton too early or too late could both cause irreparable damage. The timing just has to be right, but again you are responsible for creating or influencing the right conditions over the course of your leadership tenure.

“It's an extraordinary important win that we got a headquarters, because not only do we have all that new business in town which attracts customers and suppliers, but the able executives who work very hard in our not-for-profit institutions who provide leadership to the community.”

Those who mistrust their own abilities are being too wicked to themselves, discouraging themselves from doing what they should have been excelling in. If you are good at discouraging yourself, you can't be a good leader because leadership is built on inspiring others to face challenges.