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Quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer

“To paraphrase the late management thinker and writer, Peter Drucker, thinking is hard work, which is why so few people (including actually senior managers) do it. Once there is some "conventional," seemingly-reasonable story, people just accept it and don't ask, "is this actually true? Is it consistent with the data?" And this extends to the highest reaches of organizational life.”

Author

Jeffrey Pfeffer

Jeffrey Pfeffer is a distinguished professor of organizational behavior and management, renowned for his research in organizational theory, leadership, human resource management, and work-life balance. He holds a professorship at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and has authored numerous academic papers and books on organizational behavior and management. more

“Consider the many financial industry executives who walked away with many millions as their organizations failed - I think the expression is "failing upward." People also need to understand that their "technical" job performance is correlated with their career success, but again, many other factors such as educational credentials, length of service, and yes, political skills, also contribute to success. So people need to understand business and technical issues but they also need to master organizational dynamics.”

People Thinking Political Failing Financial Educational Organizational

Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer

“I don't think eliminating the knowing-doing gap depends on the amount of knowledge around. It depends much more on people's attitudes and intentions - do they actually want to turn knowledge into action, or just go through the motions of acting as if they are busy or are accomplishing something.”

Thinking Action Acting Attitude Intention Busy

Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer

“People need to be ready to have truly "global" careers. Just as companies now face world-wide competition, so, too, do people. Therefore, individuals need to get out in the world more - some large percentage of Americans don't even have a passport - and work in different countries.”

People World Different Country Individual Competition

Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer

“We need economic policies in the U.S. that produce jobs, first of all, but good jobs, second of all. Believe it or not, Germany, a country characterized by high wages, strong unions, a social safety net, and so forth is the second largest exporter (after China) in the world. The idea that the only way to succeed is by eliminating vacations, sick days, worker protections, and so forth is simply belied by the competitiveness rankings produced by the Economist magazine's intelligence unit and by the World Economic Forum.”

World Believe Country Strong Economic Policy Succeed Sick Safety Protection Vacation Economist Good Job Competitiveness Safety Net

Author:Jeffrey Pfeffer