Quotessence
Home / Authors / Robert I. Sutton
Robert I. Sutton

Robert I. Sutton Quotes

Professor

Filter quotes by topic

AllLeadersManagersProtectionBossesNumbersStaff3mBuildingCareersCharacterCharismaticCivilizedConsultingCreativityCuriosityDiedDullEmployeesExecutivesGames

Famous Robert I. Sutton Quotes

“William Coyne headed research and development at 3M—the company behind Ace bandages, Post-it notes, Scotch tape, and other inventions—for over a decade. Shortly after retiring, Coyne spoke to a group of hundreds of executives about innovation at 3M and his own management style. He said he’d started at 3M as a researcher and learned firsthand how well-meaning but nosy executives who proffer too many questions and suggestions can undermine creative work. So when he became head of R&D, he was determined to allow his teams to work for long stretches, unfettered by intrusions from higher-ups. Coyne understood his colleagues’ curiosity; if successful, an R&D project could generate millions in new revenue. But he limited their interference (and his own) because, he said, “After you plant a seed in the ground, you don’t dig it up every week to see how it is doing.”

CuriosityProtectionExecutivesLeadersStaffInterferenceEmployees3mWilliam Coyne
Author:Robert I. Sutton
Create image

“Good bosses shield their employees from distress and distraction in diverse ways, whether behind the scenes or publicly. They work day after day to enhance their self-awareness; stay in tune with followers’ worries, hot buttons, and quirks; and foster a climate of comfort and safety. They also learn to identify which battles their people consider crucial to fight, and which they see as unimportant. When bosses can’t protect people—for example, from layoffs, pay cuts, or tough assignments—the best ones convey compassion, do small things to allay fears, and find ways to blunt negative consequences. Operating in this way helps bolster your people’s performance and well-being. And a nice by-product is that they will have your back, too.”

Self AwarenessWorkersProtectionManagersLeadersStaffBossesGood Bosses
Author:Robert I. Sutton
Create image