The purpose of an organization is to enable ordinary humans beings to do extraordinary things.
Peter DruckerRead
Manners are the lubricating oil of an organization. It is a law of nature that two moving bodies in contact with each other create friction. This is as true for human beings as it is for inanimate objects.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good manners help smooth interactions and reduce conflicts within an organization.
Peter Drucker emphasizes that just as lubrication reduces friction between mechanical parts, good manners and etiquette serve to ease interactions among people in an organization. This moral and social oil fosters better communication, collaboration, and efficiency, preventing unnecessary conflicts that may arise from misunderstandings or rudeness.
Themes
MannersOrganizationLeadershipCommunicationFrictionEtiquette
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, I quoted Drucker to emphasize the importance of respectful communication.
More from Peter Drucker
All quotes βIn the Western tradition, we have focused on teaching as a skill and forgotten what Socrates knew: teaching is a gift, learning is a skill.
Peter DruckerRead
We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.
Peter DruckerRead
The basic economic resource - the means of production -_x000D_ _x000D_ is no longer capital, nor natural resources, nor labor._x000D_ _x000D_ It is and will be knowledge.
Peter DruckerRead
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes... but no plans.
Peter DruckerRead
The strength of the computer lies in its being a logic machine. It does precisely what it is programed to do. This makes it fast and precise. It also makes it a total moron; for logic is essentially stupid.
Peter DruckerRead
Similar quotes
I have some strategical vision, I could calculate some few moves ahead and I have an intellect that is badly missed in the country which is run by generals and colonels.
Garry KasparovRead
I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn't be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn't be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters - who your neighbour is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think.
Lee Kuan YewRead
I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president - not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.
Caroline KennedyRead
Within the U.N. itself, I have appointed a record number of women to high-level positions. I did not fill jobs with women just for the sake of it - I looked for the best possible candidate, and I found that if you strip away discrimination, the best possible candidate is often a woman.
Ban Ki-MoonRead
Regulation is necessary, particularly in a sector, like the banking sector, which exposes countries and people to a risk.
Christine LagardeRead
To add value to others, one must first value others.
John C. MaxwellRead