Authentic Leadership: The Maya Angelou Way

As we enter the last fiscal quarter for many, it's a good time to reflect on the qualities of an authentic leader. Maya Angelou was a great example of someone who led with authenticity and integrity. As I write this post, 26 days remain in October. When I reflect on Maya Angelou's ideas, I'm always humbled and inspired by the obstacles and opportunities of our circumstances and creation.

For each remaining day in October, there is a Maya Angelou quote to prompt reflection, a skill for those leading authentically. Before the list of 26 Maya Angelou quotations, these are five insights for aspiring authentic leaders based on her wisdom:

1. Be authentic: Don't try to be someone you're not. Just be yourself and let your authentic personality shine through.

2. Be honest: Don't make promises you can't keep, and be truthful with people even if it's difficult to do so.

3. Be compassionate: Understand that everyone makes mistakes, and show compassion towards others when they mess up.

4. Be humble: Stay grounded, and don't let your success go to your head. Remember that you're only as good as your last accomplishment.

5. Be courageous: Face your fears and take risks even when unsure of the outcome.

26 Maya Angelou Quotes for Aspiring Authentic Leaders

1. “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”

2. “I think we have to own the fears that we have of each other, and then, in some practical way, some daily way, figure out how to see people differently than the way we were brought up to.”

3. “I want to write so well that a person is 30 or 40 pages in a book of mine before they realize they are reading.”

4. “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”

5. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

6. “It is always about the work. In the latter years of your life, your happiness and your self-esteem will be determined by the mountains you surmounted, the valleys you climbed out of, and the life and/or career that you forged for yourself.”

7. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

8. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

9. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

10. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

11. “You can never really live anyone else's life, not even your child's. The influence if any that we have is through our own lives... living honestly and openly in front of them.”

12. “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

13. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

14. "A wise woman knows the importance of speaking life into her own existence."

15. "Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle."

16. "Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently."

17. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

18. "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

19. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”

20. "What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it."

21. "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."

22. "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

23. “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”

24. “I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.”

25. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.”

26. “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

Maya Angelou was an authentic leader who inspired others with her words and deeds. She spoke about the importance of owning our fears, being true to ourselves, and taking risks even when we are unsure of the outcome. As we reflect on her ideas, we are reminded of the power of authentic leadership and the ability to make a difference in the world. Authentic leaders like Maya Angelou show us that it is possible to lead with compassion, humor, and style while positively impacting those around us.

What are some of your favorite Maya Angelou quotes? Share in the comments below!