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John Quincy Adams
The former US President, John Quincy Adams, who was also the son of the US’s second President, was a man who lived an amazing life and was able to influence several of America’s defining government policies like the Monroe Doctrine, Adams-Onís Treaty, Treaty of Ghent, and, even, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The son of John and Abigail Adams, born on July 11, 1767, was a diplomat with international accomplishments, a Senator, a Secretary of State, a President, and then served seventeen years in the US House of Representatives until his death in 1848.
Quote from John Quincy Adams about Leadership:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Learning
Learning is a primary attribute of a leader. To be successful and to be a leader, adopt a lifetime of learning. But, as John Q. Adams’s quote reminds us, leaders beget leaders. So as you mentor and develop leaders, encourage them to adopt a lifetime of learning.
Action
Without a vision and purpose, there is no action, but merely having a vision is not sufficient. Your actions and the actions of others should move the group or organization in the direction of your vision. As the notable, former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger puts it, “The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.”
Accomplishment
Your actions as a leader and the actions of those you lead should produce a product, service, or effect that accomplishes your vision. While the goals may change along the journey, the path should be marked with evidence of your leadership and tributes to the success of your team.
Lead
As a leader “…inspire others… (to be) …more…” by being more yourself and dream, learn, do, and become.
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Robert // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Hi Jonathan,
Am a fan of your site, thanks for sharing very good quotes and insights.
Have you become a leader in any extent? or someone who is inspired to become a leader?
2 Jon // Nov 17, 2007 at 6:34 am
Hi Robert,
I have been in management positions, but didn’t really understand and practice the role of leadership at that time. I was a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO, Sergeant) in the US Army and that was the first time that leadership became an important emphasis in the conduct of my responsibilities. As anyone who has been in the military knows, there is a strong emphasis on leadership especial in the NCO corps.
Currently, I am on a sabbatical after completing my latest project. I work at a senior network systems administrator with a concentration on information systems security. In that capacity, I work with other professionals who are peers and juniors. I have the opportunity to mentor and train others in a professional environment.
However, I believe leadership transcends work and reaches into nearly every activity of a leader’s life. Even among friends and associates, I practice leadership. I am inspired to be a leader in more advanced capacity, but I practice leadership in this facet of my life.
Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog.
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