Quotessence
Home / Authors / Jeffrey Pfeffer
Jeffrey Pfeffer

Jeffrey Pfeffer Quotes

Professor

Filter quotes by topic

AllPeopleThinkingDoneSuccessfulWorldNeedsLeaderStrategyBelieveEmployeeManagementTryingBehaviorCompanyEconomicEnoughGivingIfsLongOrganization

Famous Jeffrey Pfeffer Quotes

“Many of our students want to do what they have done and that has made them successful thus far in their lives: play by the rules, and do what is expected. But as much social science research and writing by Malcolm Gladwell, among others, make clear, the rules are mostly created by those already in power so obtaining power often entails standing out and breaking rules and social conventions.”

WantWritingMadeDonePlaySocialSuccessfulClearStudentsResearchStandingExpectedConventionsStanding OutObtainingSocial ScienceBreaking RulesScience ResearchResearch And Writing
Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer
Create image

“One cannot control the actions of others, but we are responsible for what we do. People say things such as, "I can't do this," "it is not really me," "this makes me uncomfortable," etc. People, simply put, opt out of playing the game or doing so in a way that will make them successful. So get over yourself, and do what you need to do - and what, by the way, others around you are doing, to become more powerful.”

PeopleWayNeedsI CanActionGamesPowerfulSuccessfulResponsibleUncomfortableEtcOver YouGet OverGet Over Yourself
Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer
Create image

“One way to feel good about oneself is to not fail. The easiest way to not fail is to not try in the first place. So, I see lots of people give up before they start. That way they don't have to face uncomfortable failures. They can sort of "remain on the sideline while the game is going on." While this may make people feel good about themselves, it won't get them any power or success. As any successful salesperson will tell you, if you haven't been rejected, you haven't tried enough with enough people.”

PeopleGivingTryingEnoughSuccessfulFailingGiving UpOneselfFeel GoodUncomfortableRejected
Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer
Create image

“People, to maintain their self-esteem, tend to believe they are above average on all positive qualities - height, income, intelligence, sense of humor, negotiating ability, you name it. The problem is that if we are going to really build our skills, we need to know which skills are most deficient. So, I advise people to find confidantes to tell them the truth. And then act on that knowledge to build the abilities they need to be more successful.”

PeopleBelieveProblemAbilityQualitySuccessfulSense Of HumorAdvise
Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer
Create image

“Nothing comes without trade-offs. Do you want to spend time with people who like, or with people who might be useful to you? Do you really want to put in the long hours and constant attention required to be successful in your quest for power? Do you really want to be under the microscope on a daily basis, with people commenting on the car you drive, where you live, where you go on vacation, and so forth? There is no way to avoid the price of power. It's up to you to decide if it is worth it, and to change course when it isn't.”

PeopleLongHoursAttentionSuccessfulCarBeing SuccessfulVacationWorth ItEnd TimesSpend Time
Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer
Create image