10 inspirational presidential quotes

8/10/2019 10 Inspirational Presidential Quotes

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GROWTH STRATEGIES

10 Inspirational

Presidential Quotes10 Inspirational Presidential Quotes

Kathleen Davis

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

A great politician, just like a great business leader, can

inspire action and with just a few well-crafted words. We

mined the speeches of some of the most significant U.S.
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leaders from Thomas Jefferson to Barack Obamafor

words of inspiration.

Whether you need a kick to launch that business you've

been dreaming about, or you just need little motivation

to keep plugging forward on the slow road of progress,

we have your next mantra.

True leaders inspire others.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn

more, do more and become more, you are a leader. --

John Quincy Adams

Despite his struggles with opposition in Congress, the

sixth president of the U.S. still knew that a good leader

is only as strong as those he works with. Adams

managed to pay off much the national debt in his single

term in office. Motivating your team to go above and

beyond is just as important as being motivated yourself.
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Small achievements happen every day.

Accomplishment will prove to be a journey, not a

destination. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower

The two-term president had a long resum when taking

office in 1952, including serving as a five-star major

general in World War II. Leading the county during a

turbulent decade in office that included the end of the

Korean War, he took a pragmatic approach to achieving

his objectives. If big picture success seems too lofty of a

goal, focus on what you can achieve each day.

Remember what is important.


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Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time. --

Gerald R. Ford

The only president in U.S. history who was never

elected to office (he succeed the impeached president

Richard Nixon), may not have sought his role as a world

leader, but he served his short term with honesty. Ford

had a reputation as an open, trustworthy everyman, and

his words can serve as a reminder that some of the

most important things about leadership are also the

simplest.

Don't comprise your core values.


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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of

principle, stand like a rock. -- Thomas Jefferson

The founding father and primary author of the

Declaration of Independence knew a thing or two about

principles. Among his many notable political

achievements, is the bill he wrote in 1786 establishing

religious freedom, which was used as a model for the

religious language in the Bill of Rights.

When it comes to trends in the market it helps to stay

current, but when it comes to what your company really

believes in, stand firm and stay true to your principles.

Always move forward.


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I walk slowly, but I never walk backward. -- Abraham

Lincoln

One of the most influential presidents in U.S. history,

Lincoln inspired the U.S. during a long and difficult

period. His progress in issuing the Emancipation

Proclamation and ending the Civil War was arduous and

hard-won, but he never gave up. Success likely won't

come overnight, so keep your goal in sight and keep

moving forward -- no matter how slowly.

Be different.


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Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of

growth. -- John F. Kennedy

The youngest president in U.S. history was regarded by

many as a visionary. Not satisfied with the status quo,

Kennedy spearheaded economic programs that

launched the U.S. on its longest expansion since World

War II and championed equality by calling for civil rights

legislation.

Think of the entrepreneurs that you find more influential

and innovative, chances are they went against the grain

and had a different way of approaching things. Going

the safe route is rarely the way to get noticed.

Don't give up.


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Image credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

If you're walking down the right path and you're willingto keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. --

Barack Obama

The current POTUS stuck to his guns in his first term in

office and passed the landmark Affordable Care Act (aka

"Obamacare") despite facing a lot of opposition. Agree

with him or not, entrepreneurs can admire his

persistence. Once you choose the path for your

business, stay committed and you'll make progress

slowly but surely.

Treat everyone with respect.


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If you treat people right they will treat you right ninety

percent of the time. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

FDR faced many daunting problems when he took office

during the Great Depression. With 13 million

unemployed, and almost every bank closed, he

proposed his sweeping "New Deal" recovery programs

within his first 100 days in office. As the U.S. slowly

recovered many turned against aspects of his programs

and he responded with a series of new reforms

including Social Security and new controls over banks

and public utilities. While he won re-election by a large

margin, he faced a lot of opposition in the Supreme

Court, proving that you can't please all of the people all

of the time.

Believe in yourself.


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Believe you can and youre halfway there. -- Theodore

Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt's favorite proverb, "Speak softly and

carry a big stick," speaks as much to his self-

assuredness as it does his governing style. The 26th

president certainly didn't lack confidence, viewing

himself as a "steward of the people." He enacted several

large antitrust suits, ensured the construction of the

Panama Canal, championed conservation and even won

a Nobel Peace Prize. Take a page from his book if you

want to inspire confidence in others -- the first step is

believing in yourself.

Share the spotlight.


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It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not

care who gets the credit. -- Harry S. Truman

Truman faced a myriad of wartime problems including

the development of the atomic bomb when he assumed

the presidency following Franklin Roosevelt's

unexpected death in 1945. Later that year he witnessed

the signing of the charter of the United Nations, and

worked throughout his presidency with the leaders of

other countries. Today's business leaders can learn from

his spirit of cooperation.

10 inspirational presidential quotes

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