Peter Drucker

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Duty of Self-Government

  “The political and social conclusion from the freedom of the individual is self-government, self-government as a right and as a duty of the individual.”

  Our noteHe explains the relationship between individual freedom and responsibility.

• Nature of Decisions

  “about aims... what is desirable... the greater good or the lesser evil in the case of conflicting aims...”

  Our noteDrucker describes how ethical choices define the most important decisions.

• Purpose of business

  “There is only one valid definition of a business purpose: to create a customer.”

  Our noteDrucker defines the core objective of any commercial enterprise.

• Incentives for productivity

  “The major incentive to productivity and efficiency are social and moral rather than financial.”

  Our noteDrucker identifies what truly drives workers to perform better.

• Nature of profit

  “Profit is not a cause but a result-”

  Our noteHe explains that profit follows good business practice rather than being the starting point.

• Importance of priorities

  “It is better to pick the wrong priority than none at all.”

  Our noteHe emphasizes the necessity of focus even if the choice isn't perfect.

• Authority through performance

  “Management has authority only as long as it performs.”

  Our noteHe links the legitimacy of management directly to its results.

• Purpose of organization

  “The purpose of an organization is to enable common men to do uncommon things.”

  Our noteDrucker defines the core value of building a team or company.

• Drucker's law

  “If one thing goes wrong, everything else will, and at the same time.”

  Our noteDrucker describes the inherent risks in complex systems.

• Limits of complexity

  “There is a point of complexity beyond which a business is no longer manageable.”

  Our noteDrucker warns about the dangers of over-complicating a business structure.