Insight Quotes

“There’s a wonderful Chinese proverb that says: “When the winds of change rage, some build shelters while others build windmills.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“Be an informer, not a meformer: Focusing less on ourselves and more on engaging and connecting with others Cultivate humility: Admit to our failings and put our successes in perspective Focus on self-acceptance over self-esteem: Know our flaws and choose to like ourselves anyway Tool: Monitor your inner monologue”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“When we sense that leaders aren’t being authentic—whether they’re intentionally misleading us or simply behaving in opposition to their values—we can smell it a mile away. This causes team members to avoid bringing up issues for fear of retribution, as Mulally’s executive team initially did, and reality gets buried under a torrent of excuses and finger-pointing.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“In his book The Telltale Brain, neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran poetically explains: Any ape can reach for a banana, but only humans can reach for the stars. Apes live, contend, breed and die in forests—end of story. Humans write, investigate, and quest. We splice genes, split atoms, launch rockets. We peer upward . . . and delve deeply into the digits of pi. Perhaps most remarkably of all, we gaze inward, piecing together the puzzle of our own unique and marvelous brain . . . This, truly, is the greatest mystery of all.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: The Power of Self-Awareness in a Self-Deluded World

“for a leader to drive a self-aware team. First, if the team doesn’t have a leader who models the way, the process will be seen as insincere or even dangerous. Second, if there isn’t the psychological safety to tell the truth, the chance of candid feedback is almost zero.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“With the right approach and a true ongoing commitment, you can foster a culture that encourages communication and feedback at all levels; one where honesty trumps hierarchy and even the lowest-ranking member feels safe putting problems on the table.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“It’s far easier to feel wonderful and special than to become wonderful and special.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“see, for leaders in particular, overcoming the MUM effect is only half the battle.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“It is most perilous to be a speaker of Truth. Sometimes one must choose to be silent, or be silenced. But if a truth cannot be spoken, it must at least be known. Even if you dare not speak truth to others, never lie to yourself. —FRANCES HARDINGE”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

“It’s easy to get isolated at the top,” Suttles told me, “But if your team isn’t performing as you’d like, the first place to look is at yourself. If I glance over my shoulder and there’s nobody back there, that’s called feedback. If I glance over my shoulder and people are following me, that’s probably a good sign.”
― Tasha Eurich, Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It