The organization is, above all, social. It is people.

The most important contribution management needs to make in the 21st century is ... to increase the productivity of knowledge work and the knowledge worker

Never ask who's right. Start out by asking what is right. And you find that out by listening to dissenting, disagreeing opinions.

Not to innovate is the single largest reason for the decline of existing organizations. Not to know how to manage is the single largest reason for the failure of new ventures.

The real development I've seen of people in organizations, especially in big ones, comes from their being volunteers in a nonprofit organization - where you have responsibility, you see results, and you quickly learn what your values are. There is no better way to understand your strengths and discover where you belong than to volunteer in a nonprofit. That is probably the great opportunity for the social sector - and especially in its relationship to business.

Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.

No business can do everything. Even if it has the money, it will never have enough good people. It has to set priorities. The worst thing to do is a little bit of everything. This makes sure that nothing is being accomplished. It is better to pick the wrong priority than none at all.