Champions are pioneers, and pioneers get shot at. The companies that get the most from champions, therefore, are those that have rich support network so their pioneers will flourish. This point is so important it's hard to overstress. No support systems, no champions. No champions, no innovations.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of support systems for innovators and pioneers in achieving success.
Tom Peters highlights that champions, or innovators, often face challenges and resistance as they pursue new ideas. To ensure that these pioneers succeed and contribute to innovation, it is crucial for them to have strong support networks. Without such support, champions may struggle or fail, leading to a lack of innovation. The quote underscores that for organizations to thrive, they must foster an environment that nurtures and protects their champions.
In practice
In a motivational speech about leadership and innovation.
My half-baked reading of history is that we continue to go through these waves of entrepreneurial explosion followed by merger mania and consolidation. Out of that come big sluggish companies that eventually collapse under the weight of what they've created, and are killed off by the next wave of entrepreneurs.
The simple act of paying positive attention to people has a great deal to do with productivity.
Nearly 100% of innovation-from business to politics-is inspired not by "market analysis" but by people who are supremely pissed off by the way things are.
Leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders.
The little people will get even, which is one of a thousand reasons why they are not little people at all. If you're a jerk as a leader, you will be torpedoed. And usually it won't be by your vice presidents; it will be on the loading dock at 3am when no supervisors are around.
If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.
Do not many of us who fail to achieve big things. . .fail because we lack concentration--the art of concentrating the mind on the thing to be done at the proper time and to the exclusion of everything else?
By this measure (on the gap between Fischer & his contemporaries), I consider him the greatest world champion
To WOW, you must differentiate yourself, which means do something a little unconventional and innovative. You must do something that’s above and beyond what’s expected. And whatever you do must have an emotional impact on the receiver.
Number one, cash is king... number two, communicate... number three, buy or bury the competition.
Every day, you're only as good as your last show.
I never judge myself according to the expectations of others. I judge myself by the jobs I've been given over the years and by the extent to which I succeeded in those jobs.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.