The purpose of an organization is to enable ordinary humans beings to do extraordinary things.
Peter DruckerRead
Manners are the lubricating oil of an organization. It is a law of nature that two moving bodies in contact with each other create friction. This is as true for human beings as it is for inanimate objects.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good manners help smooth interactions and reduce conflicts within an organization.
Peter Drucker emphasizes that just as lubrication reduces friction between mechanical parts, good manners and etiquette serve to ease interactions among people in an organization. This moral and social oil fosters better communication, collaboration, and efficiency, preventing unnecessary conflicts that may arise from misunderstandings or rudeness.
Themes
MannersOrganizationLeadershipCommunicationFrictionEtiquette
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, I quoted Drucker to emphasize the importance of respectful communication.
More from Peter Drucker
All quotes →In the Western tradition, we have focused on teaching as a skill and forgotten what Socrates knew: teaching is a gift, learning is a skill.
Peter DruckerRead
We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.
Peter DruckerRead
The basic economic resource - the means of production -_x000D_ _x000D_ is no longer capital, nor natural resources, nor labor._x000D_ _x000D_ It is and will be knowledge.
Peter DruckerRead
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes... but no plans.
Peter DruckerRead
The strength of the computer lies in its being a logic machine. It does precisely what it is programed to do. This makes it fast and precise. It also makes it a total moron; for logic is essentially stupid.
Peter DruckerRead
Similar quotes
Leadership produces change. That is its primary function
John P. KotterRead
A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.
Nelson MandelaRead
The appointing power vested in the president imposes delicate and onerous duties. So far as it is possible to be informed, I shall make honesty, capacity, and fidelity indispensable prerequisites to the disposal of office, and the absence of either of these qualities shall be deemed sufficient cause for removal.
Zachary TaylorRead
Ten strong horses could not pull an empty baby carriage if they worked independently of each other.
John WoodenRead
Maybe Klopp is the best manager in the world at creating teams who attack the back four with so many players, from almost anywhere on the pitch. They have an intensity with the ball and without the ball, and it is not easy to do that.
Pep GuardiolaRead
Those in leadership positions who fail to grasp or use the power of stories risk failure for their companies and for themselves.
John P. KotterRead