Good managers have a bias for action.
—Tom Peters (b.1942) American Management Consultant, Author
A good manager is a man who isn’t worried about his own career but rather the careers of those who work for him. My advice: Don’t worry about yourself. Take care of those who work for you and you’ll float to greatness on their achievements.
—H. S. M. Burns (1900–71) American Businessman
In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative, original thinker unless you can also sell what you create.
—David Ogilvy (1911–99) British-American Advertising Executive
The easiest thing is to react. The second easiest thing is to respond. But the hardest thing is to initiate.—When people ask you to tell them what to do, resist.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
Managers have traditionally developed the skills in finance, planning, marketing and production techniques. Too often the relationships with their people have been assigned a secondary role. This is too important a subject not to receive first line attention.
—William Hewlett (1913–2001) American Engineer, Inventor, Businessperson
A manager is an assistant to his men.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
The smaller the function, the greater the management.
—C. Northcote Parkinson (1909–93) British Historian, Scholar, Novelist, Satirist
When a management with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is usually the reputation of the business that remains intact.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
When a management team with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is the reputation of the business that remains intact.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
One cannot manage too many affairs: like pumpkins in the water, one pops up while you try to hold down the other.
—Chinese Proverb
You don’t manage people; you manage things. You lead people.
—Grace Hopper (1906–92) American Naval Officer, Mathematician
Damn the great executives, the men of measured merriment, damn the men with careful smiles, damn the men that run the shops, oh, damn their measured merriment.
—Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
Management is nothing more than motivating other people.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere.
—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American Head of State
When a management with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is the reputation of the business that remains intact.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
If you’re not uncomfortable in your work as a leader, it’s almost certain you’re not reaching your potential as a leader.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful.
—Louis XIV of France (1638–1715) King of France
The one word that makes a good manager—decisiveness.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson