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If there is a single tragic flaw that mars our biggest enterprises, it is conservatism – the failure to fail, and fail big, in an era of unprecedented volatility and ambiguity.

Tom Peters

Without exception, the dominance and coherence of culture proved to be an essential quality of the excellent companies.
TOM PETERS

Culture Essentials Quality
Even a poor, out-of-datecollection reflects in its own way the values of the people who created it and the community it serves.
TOM PETERS

Community People Way
If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.
TOM PETERS

Inspirational Opportunity Success
We cannot innovate without opening the door to havoc.
TOM PETERS

Doors Havoc Innovation
The widespread availability of information is the only basis for effective day-to-day problem solving, which abets continuous improvement programs.
TOM PETERS

Abet Availability Information
What you decide not to do is probably more important that what you decide to do.
TOM PETERS

Decide Important Probably
Every managerial act must be seen as an unequivocal support for urgency in pursuit of constant testing, change, and improvement.
TOM PETERS

Improvement Pursuit Support
And remember: Everything in business is a paradox. To be excellent, you have to be consistent. When you’re consistent, you’re vulnerable to attack. Yes, it’s a paradox. Now deal with it!
TOM PETERS

Business Remembers Everything Vulnerable
Stop being conned by the old mantra that says, ‘Leaders are cool, managers are dweebs.’ Instead, follow the Peters Principle: Leaders are cool. Managers are cool too!
TOM PETERS

Leader Peter Principles
Mistakes are life. Mistakes are not to be tolerated…they are to be encouraged. The bigger the better.
TOM PETERS

Bigger Encouraged Mistake
Bold botches are to be cherished.
TOM PETERS

Botches Cherished Country People
I believe in the age of the Internet, Facebook and Twitter, that relationships are everything.
TOM PETERS

Age Believe Internet
I don’t want the 35-year-olds in my audience to think of me as as ‘pops’ giving the kind of advice that only 65-year-olds can understand.
TOM PETERS

Giving Thinking Understand Years
Be guided by the axiom: There are no limits to the ability to contribute on the part of a properly selected, well-trained, appropriately supported, and, above all, committed person.
TOM PETERS

Ability Appropriate Committed Limits
Appreciation, applause, approval, respect – we all love it!
TOM PETERS

Applause Appreciation Approval
Business ceases to be work when you’re chasing a dream that has engorged you. (“Work should be more fun than fun” – Noel Coward.) And if the passion isn’t there. then biotech and plumbing will be equal drags.
TOM PETERS

Biotech Business Cease Dream Engorged

If there is a single tragic flaw that mars our biggest enterprises, it is conservatism – the failure to fail, and fail big, in an era of unprecedented volatility and ambiguity.

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If there is a single tragic flaw that mars our biggest enterprises, it is conservatism – the failure to fail, and fail big, in an era of unprecedented volatility and ambiguity.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Tom Peters Quotes