Tom Peters Quotes

Any leader needs to be constantly interested in what's going on in the world, and constantly ready - even when things are going well - to change.

Strategic planning is not strategic thinking. Indeed, strategic planning often spoils strategic thinking, causing managers to confuse real vision with the manipulation of numbers.

The real heart of strategy is the strategist.

A team of giants needs giant pitchers who throw good ideas but every pitcher needs an outstanding catcher. Without giant catchers, the ideas of the giant pitchers may eventually disappear.

Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.

I always follow the same idea: Start small and disrupt to create something big.

The most successful businesses have an idea for the future that's very different from the present - and that's not fully valued.

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.

Disruptive innovation is competitive strategy for an age seized by terror.

One of the things that I'm really proud of is that I have really good timing. It's very easy for me to see what's coming up and it's no coincidence that I went headfirst into wine and then headfirst into new media - none at all.

Think as you work, for in the final analysis, your worth to your company comes not only in solving problems, but also in anticipating them.

I like challenges that test your ingenuity.

I guess some people are brilliant enough to be brilliant on their own and never doubt anything and come up with fabulous things. But I think it's good to get into arguments with people and have them say, 'That sucks' or 'You're crazy' or 'That's cheesy' or 'What do you think of this?'

Strategic planning is worthless - unless there is first a strategic vision.

At the end of the day, if you've got the great idea, and someone judges you've got the managerial capability, you'll probably get the backing for it.

Do not be afraid to offer ideas that draw opposition. Remember, if no one is against your idea, then your idea probably doesn't do anything.

For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate.

I am able to ride the bike and think clearly about strategy and tyres. I also have positive thinking. I am very constructively critical.

Vision with action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare.

Leadership requires that we challenge the conventional wisdom.

The greatest competitive advantage in the modern economy is a positive and engaged brain.

We are excellent at launching Tomahawk missiles; we need to get better at launching ideas.

As an entrepreneur, you tend to see the opportunities where others see none.

Dad was an outstanding leader. He'd bring in top thinkers from a wide array of fields - how to fix the Detroit schools, for example. I watched him in these meetings. He listened and probed.

You don't do new things and try to change the system without generating debate.