7 Leadership Inspirational Quotes To Help You During A Time of Crisis

During a time of crisis, sometimes you need that little bit of inspiration to help you weather the storm. These quotes from leaders can help you to put things into perspective and provide you with a different way of looking at things, a shift in your mindset. That shift may give you the push you need to keep going.

I hope that these 7 inspirational leadership quotes can give you the upliftment that you need during this difficult time. You can also download and print the image quotes for use later when you need to pull from a place of strength.  

1. "I think leadership is service, and there is power in that giving: to help people, to inspire and motivate them to reach their fullest potential."- Denise Morrison

This quote reminds us that leadership is a service. It’s not about a title or position. It’s about giving so that you can help others and motivate them to reach their fullest potential. By doing this we help to increase the number of people who can then lead themselves and bring about change.  

2. "Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still empowered and accomplished." -Lisa Cash Hanson

This leadership quote offers a perspective that leadership is based on getting people to do what needs to be done to have the biggest impact. This should be attempted without forcing them but persuading them to take on a direction or decision that they believe in and will work hard to accomplish. In the end, you will have a team that is more productive, loyal, and empowered.

3. “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” – George S. Patton

George S. Patton was a general responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers during WWII. He knew the importance of letting his soldiers do what they do best by providing them with the resources they needed. The same is true in leadership. It’s important to let the experts, the people with the knowledge in their given field, do what they are trained to do by providing them your vision and giving them the resources and tools they need to do their job.

4. “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” – Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely had to learn how to create a product that now serves hundreds of thousands of women. Not knowing how to do something should inspire you to want to learn. During this process of learning, you can find your strengths and new solutions for problems that others may not have contemplated.  

5. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

It’s easy to be a great leader when times are good. During this time, you’re not judged or criticized. It’s when the problems occur that a leader’s strength, courage, decision making, and ability to collaborate will reveal themselves.  

6. “My philosophy has always been if you can put staff first, your customer second and shareholders third, effectively, in the end, the shareholders do well, the customers do better, and you’re happy.” – Richard Branson

It’s crucial as a leader to prioritize what’s important. You need to be clear about where your attention and focus should be placed. Your staff is the engine behind your business. If their needs are not being met, it will trickle down to your customers and then your bottom line.

7. "All of the great leaders have one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership."-John Kenneth Galbraith

It’s essential as a leader to be able to help calm the anxieties of your people during a time of crisis. This can be achieved with empathy, compassion, clear communication, and providing them with the tools and resources they need. If you are not calm during a storm, they will follow suit.

I know how difficult it can be to lead during times of uncertainty. You may be questioning your own leadership skills or struggling with finding your voice. If you are transitioning to a leadership role or new to leadership and looking for support during this time my new book Physicians Rise Up: A Guide to Evolving As A Healthcare Leader is a resource to help you lead with success.