Societal Leader in 200 quotes E-Book

Michel Sapranides

• Herausgeber: Intervalles
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 41

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Through these 200 quotes selected throughout his career, organized into five structuring sections, Michel Sapranides refines his concept of "Societal Leader" by relying on the thoughts of great historical figures. Many of these quotes will now accompany you, inside and outside office hours, in your aspiration to improve yourself and your contribution to the common good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michel Sapranides is a Parisian entrepreneur from French a,nd Greek origins. He founded the notion of "Societal Leadership" to brighten the efforts of all leaders, known or unknown, who chose to live by a meaningful leadership in our societies. 

Leseprobe

Couverture

Page de titre

To my wife Maria and our children.

INTRODUCTION

My appreciation for the power of words began in childhood. My parents came from rural Greece at a time when formal education was scarce and illiteracy abounded. Proverbs filled with common sense were at the heart of this culture and were an important means of passing on wisdom. The advice my mother gave me often took this form. These pages hold the maxim she often repeated to me, in Greek : “Man is not born, he is built.”

Throughout my professional career, I naturally collected a great number of quotations. I like these short sentences, and find them often more inspiring than long speeches.

The first quote connected to the world of enterprise which really stuck with me was brought to my attention by one of my professors when I was studying at business school in the late 1980s : “Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought”, from the French philosopher, Henri Bergson.

While writing my first book, Societal Leader, I chose to open each chapter with three apt reflections from historical figures. The many positive responses I received about these quotes encouraged me to put together a selection and share it in this guide.

These are sources of inspiration that I wanted to apply to my great passion, the business world. I have organized them into five structured sections, in chronological order, according to the general theme of leadership for the common good.

This book also seeks to honor my debt to the authors of these quotes, illustrious personalities whose wisdom continues to guide us.

I also invite readers to enrich my catalogue with their suggestions.

I hope these insights help you build businesses which contribute to a better world.

1 THINK BIG

Entrepreneurship begins with the spark of an idea, or better, a dream. In the beginning there is a kind of unconsciousness, because we do not know the magnitude of the journey ahead. This ambition may seem audacious but it serves as an invaluable compass. As Henry Kissinger once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, every road will get you nowhere.”

To define this ideal, it is helpful to work together. By involving their team, a manager can ensure that everyone takes ownership and strives toward a common goal. The board of directors also play a role, mediating and validating strategy. In France, forty thousand SMEs achieve a turnover of more than three million euros, only ten percent of which are accompanied by an independent board member, a true sage alongside the entrepreneur. Business is not a guessing game. Lasting success requires precision, method, and being surrounded by the right people.

Any commercial enterprise requires a strategy to stand out from competitors, meet the demands of its target market, and achieve the level of financial success expected by shareholders. In this era, however, some companies also strive to serve a greater purpose. A new generation demands it.

Moreover, the time of the omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent leader is over. Society cries out for humility, altruism, and the common good. The leader is a key link in this chain, and we desperately need them. Leadership is a profession in its own right, and is a lifelong process. The journey from vocation to mentorship is shaped by diverse experiences, ongoing self-improvement, a commitment to serving others, and, above all, dedication to a greater cause.

The strength of any team is built on the challenges faced together, and above all on shared successes. Our credibility and confidence must be built on a foundation of achievement.

A company will always move through cycles, so you must always be ready to reinvent yourself in response to the market and society. Success in one stage will create a strong foundation for the next. The next leaders will emerge, so it is wise to anticipate and have a plan by preparing for the next generation.

It is natural to be optimistic about a project’s timeline, but delays and unforeseen hurdles are inevitable. Realizing your dream can easily take ten years, or even more if you keep raising the bar. This can be a great strength for SMEs in the long term, as family ownership encourages stable, responsible management.

Leading such a project entails responsibility, but it can also be a source of great excitement, meaningful connections and plenty of fun.

Companies must be competitive at their core, and make a name for themselves to attract their customers who justify their existence. A strong performance is the result of market selection and focus, drive, and financial management. This is a must to repeat growth. The private sector is a driving force of the modern nation. We invent, invest, create jobs. This supports the economy, the bedrock of society.

In business, leadership is the engine of success. Our ability to envision what is possible is a crucial component.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists. when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say : we did it ourselves.

LAOZI