I believe: John D. Rockefeller

I was in New York City last week standing in the rain near Rockefeller center with my wife when I looked down and saw a large granite plaque chisled with the words “I believe” from John D. Rockefeller. I was planning on writing about it, but Josh Steimle’s post on leadership nudged it up a little sooner.

He asks . . .
Is charisma an Important Leadership Quality?

My thought on Josh’s question is, no. Principles are the ONLY leadership quality that is important because decisions are based on a foundation that’s predictable and timeless. Here’s Rockefeller’s inspiring leadership principles . . .

I Believe
I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.

I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.

I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.

I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character — not wealth or power or position — is of supreme worth.

I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.

I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.

I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.