Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessonsof the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.
—Warren G. Bennis. Teacher, best-selling author and former advisor to four American presidents.
These words resonated well with us when we started on our quest to find 10 exemplary stories of men and women who’ve had the vision and fortitude to change the world we live in. What is it about them that makes them such remarkable people? What is it about their character that makes leaders of them? What do they know that others don’t?
As you read through the pages that follow, you’ll notice there’s a common strand that binds all of them together. And Bennis, once again, explains it beautifully. “There are two ways of being creative. One can sing and dance. Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish.”