WIST

Nothing that man does is eternal.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
“How to be an Effective Executive,” Nation’s Business (Apr 1961)

Do not believe that it is very much of an advance to do the unnecessary three times as fast.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(1969)
On computers

My greatest strength as a consultant is to be ignorant and ask a few questions.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)

So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)

The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)

Wherever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)

Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)

What gets measured, gets managed.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
Frequently cited, but not sourced. Cf. Lord Kelvin.

Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, ch. 2 (1974)
Sometimes quoted as "Management" and "Leadership"; also attrib. Warren Bennis

Integrity is the one absolute requirement of managers.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, ch. 28 (1974)

The understanding that underlies the right decision grows out of the clash and conflict of opinions and out of the serious consideration of competing alternatives.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, ch. 29 (1974)

The danger of total propaganda is not that the propaganda will be believed. The danger is that nothing will be believed. … The end result of total propaganda are not fanatics, but cynics.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, ch. 30 (1974)

It requires building on strength to make weaknesses irrelevant.  Few things make an executive as effective as building on the strength of his superior.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
The Effective Executive, 4.2 (1967)

No decision has been made unless carrying it out in specific steps has become someone’s work assignment and responsibility.

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
The Effective Executive, 4.2.4 (1967)