How many on their deathbeds wished they'd spent more time at the office - or watching TV? The answer is, No one.
Stephen CoveyRead
A cardinal principle of Total Quality escapes too many managers: you cannot continuously improve interdependent systems and processes until you progressively perfect interdependent, interpersonal relationships.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Improving teamwork is essential for enhancing overall quality in systems and processes.
Stephen Covey emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in the context of Total Quality Management. He argues that before organizations can achieve continuous improvement in their systems and processes, they need to focus on perfecting their interpersonal relationships, highlighting that strong, cooperative relationships are the foundation for successful teamwork and organizational improvement.
Themes
QualityRelationshipsImprovementLeadershipTeamwork
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership workshop, to illustrate the importance of relationships in achieving quality work.
More from Stephen Covey
All quotes βIf you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathic, consistent, loving parent. If you want to have more freedom, more latitude in your job, be a more responsible, a more helpful, a more contributing employee.
Stephen CoveyRead
Listen with your eyes for feelings.
Stephen CoveyRead
If we live out of our memory, we're tied to the past and to that which is finite. When we live out of our imagination, _x000D_ we're tied to that which is infinite.
Stephen CoveyRead
Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people.
Stephen CoveyRead
Keep in mind that you are always saying "no" to something. If it isn't to the apparent and urgent things in your life, it is probably to the most fundamental, highly important things.
Stephen CoveyRead
Similar quotes
Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do. Because then they will act.
Jack WelchRead
We live in age of prudence. The leaders of the people now generally follow.
Benjamin DisraeliRead
There are blessed intervals when I forget by one means or another that I am President of the United States.
Woodrow WilsonRead
That is the difference we make in the world. And our own safety, our own security, depends upon our willingness to do what it takes to defend this nation and uphold the values that we stand for - timeless ideals that will endure long after those who offer only hate and destruction have been vanquished from the Earth.
Barack ObamaRead
At Microsoft, we're aspiring to have a living, learning culture with a growth mindset that allows us to learn from ourselves and our customers. These are the key attributes of the new culture at Microsoft, and I feel great about how it seems to be resonating and how it's seen as empowering.
Satya NadellaRead
No president is well-served by groupthink or by everybody singing from the same sheet of music they think he's on.
Robert M. GatesRead