When I come upon a man who has a gleaming, empty, clear desktop, I am dealing with a fellow who is so far removed from the realities of his business that someone else is running it for him.

The highest art of professional management requires the literal ability to 'smell' a 'real fact' from all others.

Uncertainty will always be part of the taking charge process.

I don't believe in just ordering people to do things. You have to sort of grab an oar and row with them. My philosophy is to stay as close as possible to what's happening. If I can't solve something, how the hell can I expect my managers to.

If your desk isn't cluttered, you probably aren't doing your job.

You read a book from beginning to end. You run a business the opposite way. You start with the end, and then you do everything you must to reach it.

If you keep working you'll last longer. I'd hate to spend the rest of my life trying to outwit an 18-inch fish.