Quotes

The Effective Executive, Page 463

Effective executives put their best people on opportunities rather than on problems.

Management, Page 464

In any organization, regardless of its mission, the CEO is the link between the inside, that is, the organization, and the outside, that is, society, the economy, technology, markets, customers, the media, public opinion.

Management, Page 481

Most people think they know what they are good at. They are usually wrong. People more often know what they are not good at – and even there, people are more often wrong than right.

Management, Page 482

Concentrate on your strengths. Place yourself where your strengths can produce performance and results.

Management, Page 483

…that brilliant work fails again and again as soon as it requires cooperation from others… probably indicates a lack of courtesy, that is, of manners.

Management, Page 484

Amazingly few people know how they get things done.

Management, Page 488

…do not try to change yourself; it is unlikely to be successful. But work, and hard, to improve the way you perform. And try not to do work of any kind in a way in which you do not perform or perform poorly.

Management, Page 490

Organizations have to have values. But so do people. To be effective in an organization, one’s own values must be compatible with the organization’s values. They do not need to be the same. But they must be close enough so they can coexist.

Management, Page 491

…most people, and especially highly gifted people, do not really know where they belong till they are well past their mid-twenties.

Management, Page 491

…knowing where one belongs makes ordinary people – hardworking, competent, but mediocre otherwise – into outstanding performers.