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.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that those in lower positions hold power by their ability to respond to poor leadership.
Tom Peters emphasizes that even those who seem insignificant or overlooked can have a significant impact on leadership dynamics. Poor leadership can lead to unforeseen consequences, often manifesting in subtle ways when leaders are not paying attention. This serves as a reminder that every individual, regardless of their position, has a role in the overall success of an organization and can influence change.
In practice
In a leadership training workshop to illustrate the importance of treating all employees with respect.
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.
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.
If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.
Our partnership has been built on four pillars The first pillar is peace. The second pillar is freedom. The third pillar is respect. The fourth pillar is cooperation.
Power is the ability to achieve purpose.
The best way to serve the individuals on the team is to see that the whole team wins.
Leaders know the importance of having someone in their lives who will unfailingly and fearlessly tell them the truth.
Failing to engage in conflict is a terrible decision, one that puts our temporary comfort and the avoidance of discomfort ahead of the ultimate goal of our organization.
The worker is not the problem. The problem is at the top! Management!
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