Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

it is so easy to “take the count” at the first sign of defeat.

We see men who have accumulated great fortunes, but we often recognize only their triumph, overlooking the temporary defeats which they had to surmount before “arriving”.

If you give up before your goal has been reached, you are a “quitter.”

A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.

When you begin to select members for your “Master Mind” group, endeavor to select those who do not take defeat seriously. Some people foolishly believe that only money can make money. This is not true! Desire, transmuted into its monetary equivalent, through the principles laid down here, is the agency through which money is “made.” Money, of itself, is nothing but inert matter. It cannot move, think, or talk, but it can “hear” when a man who desires it, calls it to come!

Broadly speaking, there are two types of people in the world. One type is known as leaders, and the other as followers. Decide at the outset whether you intend to become a leader in your chosen calling, or remain a follower.

It is no disgrace to be a follower. On the other hand, it is no credit to remain a follower. Most great leaders began in the capacity of followers.

They became great leaders because they were intelligent followers.

An intelligent follower has

many advantages, among them the opportunity to acquire knowledge from his leader.

Unwavering courage based upon knowledge of self, and of one’s occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader very long.

Self-control. The man who cannot control himself, can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for one’s followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.

A keen sense of justice. Without a sense of fairness and justice, ...

and retain the respect of his followers. Definiteness of decision. The man who wavers in his decisions, shows that he is not sure of himse...

Definiteness of plans. The successful leader must plan his work, and work his plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a...

The habit of doing more than paid for. One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness, upon the part of the leader, to do...

A pleasing personality. No slovenly, careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade high ...

Sympathy and understanding. The successful leader must be in sympathy with his followers. Moreover, he must und...

Mastery of detail. Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of ...

Willingness to assume full responsibility. The successful leader must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of his followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not remain the leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake, and sh...

Leadership by Force cannot endure. The downfall and disappearance of “Dictators” and kings is significant. It means that people will not follow forced leadership indefinitely.

Those who belong to the old school of leadership-by-force, must acquire an understanding of the new brand of leadership (cooperation) or be relegated to the rank and file of the followers. There is no other way out for them.

In the future, the relationship of employer and employee will be more like a partnership than it has been in the past.

Leadership-by-consent of the followers is the only brand which can endure!

The depression was prolonged, largely, because the world lacked leadership of the new brand.

what not to do as it is to know what to do.

Inability to organize details. Efficient leadership calls for ability to organize and to master details. No genuine leader is ever “too busy” to do anything which may be required of him in his capacity as leader. When a man, whether he is a leader or follower, admits that he is “too busy” to change his plans, or to give attention to any emergency, he admits his inefficiency. The successful leader must be the master of all details connected with his position. That means, of course, that he must acquire the habit of relegating details to capable lieutenants.

Unwillingness to render humble service. Truly great leaders are willing, when occasion demands, to perform any sort of labor which they would ask another to perform. “The greatest...

which all able leaders observe ...

Expectation of pay for what they “know” instead of what they do with that which they know. The world does not pay men for that which they “know.” It pays the...

Fear of competition from followers. The leader who fears that one of his followers may take his position is practically sure to realize that fear sooner or later. The able leader trains understudies to whom he may delegate, at will, any of the details of his position. Only in this way may a leader multiply himself and prepare himself to be at many places, and give attention to many things at one time. It is an eternal truth that men receive more pay for their ability to get others to perform, than they could possibly earn by their own efforts. An efficient leader may, through his knowledge of his job and the magnetism...

Lack of imagination. Without imagination, the leader is incapable of meeting emergencies, and of creating plans by which ...

Selfishness. The leader who claims all the honor for the work of his followers, is sure to be met by resentment. The really great leader claims none of the honors. He is contented to see the honors, when there are any, go to his followers, because he knows that most men will wo...

Intemperance. Followers do not respect an intemperate leader. Moreover, intemperance in any of its various forms, destroys the endurance and...

Disloyalty. Perhaps this should have come at the head of the list. The leader who is not loyal to his trust, and to his associates, those above him, and those below him, cannot long maintain his leadership. Disloyalty marks one as being less than the dust of the earth, and brings down on one’s head the contempt he de...

Emphasis of the “authority” of leadership. The efficient leader leads by encouraging, and not by trying to instill fear in the hearts of his followers. The leader who tries to impress his followers with his “authority” comes within the category of leadership through force. If a leader is a real leader, he will have no need to advertise that fact except by his conduct-his sympathy, understanding, fairness, and a demonstration that he knows his job. Emphasis of title. The competent leader requires no “title” to give him the respect of his followers. The man who makes too much over his title generally has little el...

Any one of these faults is sufficient to induce failure.

In the field of politics there is a most insistent demand for new leaders; a demand which indicates nothing less than an emergency. The majority of politicians have, seemingly, become high-grade, legalized racketeers. They have increased taxes and debauched the machinery of industry and business until the people can no longer stand the burden.

The old type of leaders thought and moved in terms of dividends instead of thinking and moving in terms of human equations!

In the professions of law, medicine, and education, a new brand of leadership, and to some extent, new leaders will become a necessity. This is especially true in the field of education. The leader in that field must, in the future, find ways and means of teaching people how to apply the knowledge they receive in school. He must deal more with practice and less with theory.

the media through which the changes in human habits are promoted, must be adapted to the changes. The media here described, are the ones which, more than any others, determine the trend of civilization.

men and women who understand the art and the psychology of advertising to present the merits of their merchandise. One who has personal services for sale should do the same.

Remember that it is not the lawyer who knows the most law, but the one who best prepares his case, who wins. If your “case” is properly prepared and presented, your victory will have been more than half won at the outset.

the success of most successful employers is due, in the main, to their ability to select well-qualified lieutenants.

In the future, the “Golden Rule,” and not the “Rule of Gold” will be the dominating factor in the marketing of merchandise as well as personal services.

relationship between employers and their employees will be more in the nature of a partnership consisting of: a.The employer b.The employee c.The public they serve

employer and the employee of the future will be considered as fellow- employees whose business it will be to serve the public efficiently.

employers, and employees have bartered among themselves, driving the best bargains they could with one another, not considering that in the final analysis they were, in reality, bargaining at the expense of the third party, the public they served.

depression served as a mighty protest from an injured public, whose rights had been trampled upon in every direction by those who were clamorin...

The real employer of the future will be the public. This should be kept uppermost in mind by every person seeking to market personal services effectively.