Quotable Quotes: Peter Drucker
by Miki Saxon
When most people think about Peter Drucker, if they think of him at all, remember his leadership quotes, because those are what their business professor focused on. But Drucker’s insights are far broader and of more use in almost any part of your life.
The need for clear communication is recognized as key, whether in your professional or personal life. As Drucker points out, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”
Lifelong learning is the mantra of the Twenty-first Century, but it was Drucker who explained years ago why it was so important, “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.”
When working to solve a thorny problem most of us know it’s important to think it through and create a plan of action, but it is Drucker who reminds you of what to do after you act, “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
In yesterday’s post there was a link to an article about bosses who believe that position yields power, but, according to Drucker, it does just the opposite, “Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.”
Moreover, he offers a totally different view of successful management/leadership, “Accept the fact that we have to treat almost anybody as a volunteer.”
I found two statements about the future that Drucker made at separate times, but put together they sum up a great way to approach it. “The only thing we know about the future is that it will be different,” and “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Finally, what really amazed me was finding that what I always considered my best asset and the one that did the most for my clients is the same one that Drucker claimed, “My greatest strength as a consultant is to be ignorant and ask a few questions.”
How ’bout that:)
Flickr image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffmcneill/4305901262/
