Bill McDermott, the former CEO of SAP and current leader of ServiceNow, is known for his inspiring leadership and relentless optimism. His words carry weight in the business world, offering wisdom on success, resilience, and innovation. Here’s a collection of his best quotes to motivate and guide you.
Leadership and Vision
Bill McDermott believes great leadership starts with a clear vision. Here’s what he has to say:
🔹 “Winners wake up and win every day.”
🔹 “If you don’t have a dream, you can’t have a dream come true.”
🔹 “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
🔹 “The best leaders don’t just talk about change—they make it happen.”
Ever wondered what separates good leaders from great ones? McDermott’s answer is simple: action.
Success and Hard Work
Success doesn’t come easy, and McDermott’s journey proves it. His quotes on hard work are pure gold:
🔥 “Success is not an accident. It’s a choice.”
🔥 “You have to be willing to do what others won’t, so you can live like others can’t.”
🔥 “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
🔥 “Dream big, start small, but most of all, start.”
Notice a pattern? Success demands effort, and McDermott doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
Life throws curveballs, but McDermott teaches us how to hit them out of the park:
📌 “Adversity introduces a man to himself.”
📌 “When you fall, get back up. That’s how winning is done.”
📌 “The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how you use it.”
📌 “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”
Challenges shape us. The key is to keep moving forward.
Innovation and Change
McDermott thrives on innovation. His thoughts on change are powerful:
💡 “If you don’t disrupt yourself, someone else will.”
💡 “Innovation is the only way to win.”
💡 “The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.”
💡 “Change is inevitable. Progress is optional.”
Staying ahead means embracing change before it’s forced upon you.
Customer Focus
For McDermott, customers always come first:
✅ “The customer is the sun. Everything else orbits around them.”
✅ “Happy customers are the best business strategy.”
✅ “Listen to your customers. They’ll tell you exactly what they need.”
✅ “Business is simple: deliver value, earn trust, repeat.”
If you take care of your customers, success follows.
Teamwork and Culture
Great companies are built on great teams. McDermott’s insights:
🎯 “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
🎯 “A team is not a group of people who work together. It’s a group of people who trust each other.”
🎯 “The best ideas come from the people doing the work.”
🎯 “Leadership is about lifting others up, not pushing them down.”
A strong culture and trust make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Bill McDermott’s quotes are packed with wisdom. Whether you’re leading a team, chasing success, or pushing through tough times, his words light the way.
🔍 Key takeaways:
◆ Dream big but start small.
◆ Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
◆ Customers and culture drive lasting success.
Which quote resonates with you the most? Drop it in the comments! 🚀