Organizational effectiveness does not lie in that narrow minded concept called rationality. It lies in the blend of clearheaded logic and powerful intuition
Henry MintzbergRead
The real challenge in crafting strategy lies in detecting subtle discontinuities that may undermine a business in the future. And for that there is no technique, no program, just a sharp mind in touch with the situation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Crafting strategy requires awareness of subtle changes that could impact a business's future success.
This quote emphasizes the importance of being attuned to subtle changes in the business environment that could pose challenges to a company's strategy. It suggests that while there may be no specific techniques or programs to identify these changes, having a keen and perceptive mind is essential for recognizing and addressing them effectively.
Themes
StrategyBusinessAwarenessMindfulnessFutureChallenges
In practice
Example use cases
In a business conference discussing future strategies, one might say, 'As Henry Mintzberg pointed out, the real challenge in crafting strategy lies in detecting subtle discontinuities.'
More from Henry Mintzberg
All quotes →Basically, managing is about influencing action. Managing is about helping organizations and units to get things done, which means action. Sometimes, managers manage actions directly. They fight fires. They manage projects. They negotiate contracts.
Henry MintzbergRead
When the world is predictable you need smart people. _x000D_ When the world is unpredictable you need adaptable people.
Henry MintzbergRead
It is time to recognize conventional MBA programs for what they are - or else to close them down. They are specialized training in the functions of business, not general educating in the practice of management.
Henry MintzbergRead
To 'turn around' is to end up facing the same way. Maybe that is the problem, all the turning organizations around.
Henry MintzbergRead
Management and leadership are not separate spheres. The two skills work together in the larger realm of “communityship.
Henry MintzbergRead
Similar quotes
There is one and only one social responsibility of business - to use it resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud.
Milton FriedmanRead
In the vast majority of businesses, there is simply no such thing as “the best.”
Michael PorterRead
Simply put: we don't build services to make money; we make money to build better services.
Mark ZuckerbergRead
I see business as an ecosystem.
Paul PolmanRead
If one engineer at a startup tries Slack and says, 'I hate it. I am not going to use this,' that's it for us. We won't get evaluated.
Stewart ButterfieldRead
Power is winning the battle over who owns the customer: the brand or the retailer.
Leonard LauderRead