Tom Peters

“My problem is not that I see all 17 sides of any issue, but I'm equally passionate about all 17 sides simultaneously.”

“I don't read many business books. I read good fiction. Business is about people, so my favorite business books are anything by Dickens.”

“I think it's wonderful to save the world, but you need to be part of the world, too.”

“For the blue-collar worker, the driving force behind change was factory automation using programmable machine tools. For the office worker, it's office automation using computer technology: enterprise-resource-planning systems, groupware, intranets, extranets, expert systems, the Web, and e-commerce.”

“We found that the most exciting environments, that treated people very well, are also tough as nails. There is no bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo... excellent companies provide two things simultaneously: tough environments and very supportive environments.”

“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!”

“I had no idea what I was doing when I wrote 'Search.' There was no carefully designed work plan. There was no theory that I was out to prove.”

“Communication is everyone's panacea for everything.”

“If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.”

“Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.”

“Winners must learn to relish change with the same enthusiasm and energy that we have resisted it in the past.”

“Remember my mantra: distinct... or extinct.”

“Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else.”

“Give a lot, expect a lot, and if you don't get it, prune.”

“Leaders understand the ultimate power of relationships.”

“All white-collar work is project work. The single salient fact that touches all of our lives is that work is being reinvented.”

“The whole secret to our success is being able to con ourselves into believing that we're going to change the world because statistically we are unlikely to do it.”

“Statistically and emotionally, I believe that the way I can be of help to society is by doing what I know and what I've been good at.”

“Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.”

“Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills.”