My philosophy of leadership is to surround myself with good

The leader and statesman Sonny Perdue, whose long career has been marked by both governance and humility, once spoke with clarity and conviction: “My philosophy of leadership is to surround myself with good people who have ability, judgment and knowledge, but above all, a passion for service.” These words, simple in phrasing yet profound in truth, reveal the heart of what true leadership means—not the solitary command of one person’s will, but the harmony of many noble spirits united under a shared purpose. For leadership, in its highest form, is not about dominion, but about stewardship; not about power, but about service.

The origin of this quote lies in Perdue’s long service in public life—as Governor of Georgia, and later as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture—where he led teams and communities through both prosperity and hardship. He saw firsthand that no leader, however wise or experienced, could carry the burdens of a nation or a people alone. The strength of leadership, he discovered, does not lie in the individual but in the company he keeps. To “surround oneself with good people,” as he said, is to build a circle of trust, wisdom, and compassion—men and women whose ability, judgment, and knowledge act as pillars upon which the house of leadership stands firm. Yet Perdue adds a fourth and greater pillar—passion for service—for without it, the others crumble into pride or apathy.

This philosophy of leadership reaches back to the wisdom of the ancients. The great kings and commanders of history understood that their power was nothing without the counsel of the wise and the loyalty of the just. King Solomon, famed for his wisdom, gathered around him prophets and scribes who guided his judgment and sharpened his discernment. Alexander the Great, conqueror of worlds, was tutored by Aristotle, whose knowledge shaped his vision of empire. Yet those who ignored this principle—the tyrants who silenced truth and surrounded themselves with flatterers—fell swiftly into ruin. For a leader alone is blind; only through the eyes and hearts of others can he see the full breadth of his duty.

Perdue’s words remind us that knowledge and judgment, though essential, are not enough without the flame of purpose. There are many who are skilled, many who are wise, but few who are truly devoted to the welfare of others. The passion for service is what transforms ability into virtue and wisdom into action. It is what elevates a leader from a commander to a servant of the people. The leader who seeks power for himself will find only isolation; but the leader who seeks to serve will find strength, loyalty, and enduring honor. For passion is the fire that gives life to leadership—it warms the hearts of followers and lights the way through the darkness of doubt.

Consider the example of Abraham Lincoln, who led his nation through its darkest hour. He gathered around him not men who agreed with him blindly, but those who challenged him with courage and conviction—his so-called “team of rivals.” They differed in temperament, background, and belief, yet Lincoln saw in them the qualities Perdue names: ability, judgment, and knowledge, bound together by a shared passion for the service of their country. It was through their collective strength that the Union was preserved and the moral conscience of the nation renewed. Lincoln, like Perdue, understood that leadership is not a solitary voice, but a chorus guided by principle and compassion.

O listener, take this lesson to heart: leadership is not the crown you wear, but the company you keep. To lead well, you must learn first to trust—to build your circle not with those who praise you, but with those who challenge you, sharpen you, and stand with you in truth. Seek out the good people in your life—those whose wisdom humbles you, whose skill strengthens you, and whose passion for service inspires you. For no leader can rise higher than the spirit of those around him, and no cause can endure without hearts that burn with devotion to the common good.

Let Perdue’s words be a beacon for all who aspire to lead, in great matters or small. Surround yourself not with the loudest voices, but with the truest ones. Honor knowledge, cherish judgment, and cultivate ability, but above all, serve with passion—for service is the soul of leadership. The world does not remember rulers for their wealth or power, but for their service to humanity. So, when your moment comes to guide others—be it in family, work, or community—remember the ancient truth made new in Perdue’s wisdom: that a leader’s greatness is not measured by what he commands, but by whom he uplifts, and how fiercely he loves to serve.