Sunday quote with Antoine de Saint Exupéry

grace bailhache quote saint exupery build shipYou, dear readers told me that you were missing my motivationalx quotes, so today I would like to share thoughts from Saint Exupéry. Just as a reminder in case you don’t know who I’m talking about, Antoine de Saint Exupéry was a French writer and aviator.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”

Quand tu veux construire un bateau, ne commence pas par rassembler du bois, couper des planches et distribuer du travail, mais réveille au sein des hommes le desir de la mer grande et large.*

I love this quote because it speaks of inspiration, desire to inspire and that is how I understand marketing. To go further, this thought also refers to other elements of entrepreneurship. Indeed, as an entrepreneur,  it’s about inspiring people, being a true leader. People are not robots, they need to feel and desire. Orders, deadlines are efficients but making people want to learn or work because they know why they are doing what they’re doing and how important is it.

For me the big picture of this quote might be this one : instead of ordering or waiting for people to come to you, be more passionate, be inspiring.

Tell me yours dear readers, ever heard this quote before, how do you understand it, any other(s) related quote(s) to share so far ? I will see you on the comments !

* Update/Mise à jour le 5 juillet

28 commentaires sur “Sunday quote with Antoine de Saint Exupéry

  1. Where did you have those images Grace? Good quote but not everyone can see what you see when you see it.

    1. On Facebook it’s an apps called ! Hummm that a Raffarinade dear Alphonsyne !!!! SMILES !!!!

  2. Interesting I never heard about that one. I like this one from Brad Henry A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.

    J.L

    1. That a good one thank you coach, I’ll copy/paste it for my Facebook page !

  3. Tes illustrations sont tellement créatives Grace en plus tu sais que j’aime Saint-exupéry. Pourrais tu STP nous la proposer en français aussi, merci.

    1. Bien entendu, il y’a plusieurs propositions du reste, et j’ai même lu quelque part que ce n’était qu’une attribution approximative. Donc je te donnerais les deux. J’ajouterais la version française « admise comme telle » dans mon article.

  4. So inspiring Grace, thank you. I think leadership is service and there is power in that giving: to help people, to inspire and motivate them to reach their fullest potential. Not mine it’s from Denise Morrison

  5. Very good. For the next time Grace this one is also good.

    Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can’t be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people. Lee Iacocca

    1. Oh I’m very Lucky with this post, thank you so much Giovi, I’ll add this quote on my list for Facebook.

  6. Love it Grace. Ever heard Kobe Bryant quote he says The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do. Blessings

    1. Heather, thank you so much for this discovery. Lot of blessings to you too.

  7. Great share as usual Grace. What about Harold S. Geneen The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them.

    Jay

  8. Please give also the original in french so we understand even better Grace.

  9. I like the metaphore but my favorite quote of Saint exupéry are
    There is no hope of joy except in human relations and True love is inexhaustible: the more you give, the more you have.

    CaroLINE

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