No generalizing beyond the data, no theory. No theory, no insight. And if no insight, why do research.

If you ask managers what they do, they will most likely tell you that they plan, organise, co-ordinate and control. Then watch what they do. Don't be surprised if you can't relate what you see to those four words.

I describe management as arts, crafts and science. It is a practice that draws on arts, craft and science and there is a lot of craft - meaning experience - there is a certain amount of craft meaning insight, creativity and vision, and there is the use of science, technique or analysis.

While hard data may inform the intellect, it is largely soft data that generates wisdom.

Management is, above all, a practice where art, science, and craft meet

We're all flawed, but basically, effective managers are people whose flaws are not fatal under the circumstances. Maybe the best managers are simply ordinary, healthy people who aren't too screwed up.

An enterprise is a community of human beings, not a collection of "human resources".