Thomas J. Peters Quotes

The most important personal ‘core competence’ by far is a rich set of relationships.

Make the collective, professional pursuit of listening skills per se a keystone of corporate 'culture'.

Have fun/Make it fun. … All human endeavor is about emotion. Zest, joy, pride—and fun—are near the heart of any successful enterprise.

If you want to achieve Excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less than Excellent work. The first 99.9% of getting from here to there is the determination to do it and not to compromise, no matter what set of road blocks those around you erect.

Musing on the phrase ‘waste of time.’ So much more complex than it appears. Many ‘wastes of time’—small talk, daydreaming—are imperatives.”

What is my personal strategy for the next 10 hours? Who can I talk with or what can I volunteer for to learn something new?

The Peters Principles: Enthusiasm. Emotion. Excellence. Energy. Excitement. Service. Growth. Creativity. Imagination. Vitality. Joy. Surprise. Independence. Spirit. Community. Limitless human potential. Diversity. Profit. Innovation. Design. Quality. Entrepreneurialism. Wow.

As project chief you are creating a narrative, a story, a good yarn. If you look at the process-journey that way, you and your gang will … dramatically up the odds of a WOW outcome!

The Big Four: Out-read 'em. Out-study 'em. Out-present 'em. Out-listen 'em.

Do not even flippantly badmouth anybody this week. Button it up.

Service is the highest human calling.

Reward excellent failures. Punish mediocre successes.

The vitality of our network will determine our professional fate.

If not excellence, what? If not excellence now, when?

Lists simplify, clarify, edify.