How can any company know if its processes, products, people are safe? Only if everyone is watching and telling the truth. The first part can be assumed; the second cannot.
Margaret HeffernanRead
If the company depends entirely on you - your creativity, ingenuity, inspiration, salesmanship or charisma - nobody will want to buy it. The risk and the dependency are too great.
Interpretation
A business should not rely on a single individual for its success.
This quote emphasizes the importance of collective effort in a business setting. If a company relies solely on one person's skills or attributes, it creates a risk that may deter potential buyers or stakeholders, highlighting the need for broader talent and resilience within the organization.
In practice
In a business meeting when discussing the importance of teamwork.
How can any company know if its processes, products, people are safe? Only if everyone is watching and telling the truth. The first part can be assumed; the second cannot.
Most executives I know are so action-oriented, or action-addicted, that time for reflection is the first casualty of their success.
Once you have power, you are inevitably surrounded by people who have their own agendas and will tell you whatever advances them.
Those in powerless positions aren't about to complain about bullying bosses, abusive supervisors or corrupt co-workers. There is no safe way to do so and no process that promises redress.
Bosses and leaders everywhere should cherish the people who bring them bad news, disappointing data or hard problems.
[For constructive conflict,] we have to resist the neurobiological drive which means that we really prefer people mostly like ourselves.
That feeling of being the NBA Champion is really unparalleled, because you're the best in the world. Without question. How many people can say that in any profession?
I never wanted to be on any billionaires list. I never define myself by net worth. I always try to define myself by my values.
I don't want to end my career and then start something. I like to do something while my career is still hot and I've always enjoyed designing.
I feel that if you really want an Oscar, you're in trouble. It's like wanting to be married - you'll take anybody. If you want the Oscar really badly, it becomes a naked desire and ambition. It becomes very unattractive.
True success has more components than one sentence or idea can contain.
I have no delusions about my likability in every scenario. I know that in order to get things done the way you want them, oftentimes your position will be unpopular.
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