Tom Peters Quotes

Give a lot, expect a lot, and if you don't get it, prune.

I believe in the power of a positive, high-performance culture, which begins with strong ethical values at the core.

Much of a leader's responsibility in creating a positive, high-performance culture is setting the right tone and acting on it consistently. That day-to-day execution - the tenor and tone - really makes the difference. One deviation - one exasperating meeting - and the CEO legitimizes bad behavior.

I've had to learn that not everybody does things my way. But I do expect the absolute best of everyone around me, and I'm disappointed when people don't expect that of themselves.

If you can create an environment where people are invited to do their best work and the best ideas always win, then the project itself will win.

I just think it is important that you realize, that you're the best in the world. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican or whether you're libertarian or whatever, you are the best. And we should not ever forget that. And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let them go.

For example, I wouldn't hesitate to sit somebody down if he wasn't performing, even if he was the No. 1 player in the world. I've been sat down before.

I think there is something to be said for not coddling people and not accepting good as good enough.

The game has a cleanness. If you do a good job, the numbers say so. You don't have to ask anyone or play politics. You don't have to wait for the reviews.

If a guy doesn't work hard and doesn't play well, he can't lead anything. All he is, is a talker.

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.

I think, in terms of corporate philosophy, I've always believed that you've got to treat people in a very very egalitarian manner in the sense I like to treat people on a one-to-one basis. And I like people to take on a lot of responsibilities because I think with a sense of responsibility also comes a sense of purpose.

I worked with creative people who were very demanding of me, and they helped me reach performances that I never could have gotten on my own without being pushed and having trust in them. And so I know the best way to get the best performance of an actor, and that's not to coddle them or to baby them. It's to help them; it's to push them.

It's tough in the NHL; you have to produce on a high level. And everybody expects you to do it because you make a lot of money. And I never minded it. I always want to be that guy.

As a leader, I am tough on myself and I raise the standard for everybody; however, I am very caring because I want people to excel at what they are doing so that they can aspire to be me in the future.

When it comes to work, there is a fear factor around meritocracy. People are afraid of being openly judged. However, when you know what you are being measured against, it's empowering.

Basically, as a leader, I try not to make any mistakes, because there's a lot of people watching even though you don't think so.

In managers, I look for people who can get things done through other people. The most important thing for a good manager is that the people on his team feel like he or she has integrity.

I wasn’t hired to do well in the polls. I was hired to do a good job.

Support what works and stop supporting what does not work.

We have too often been tolerant of mediocrity in our leaders, and equally contemptuous of them. It should be exactly the reverse. We should be offering leaders our real respect, and demanding absolutely that they deliver.

Our players get scrutinized pretty hard at Alabama.

Women politicians tend to lead by being accountable for results. We focus on goals and outcomes. You can't get by on just swagger.

I think, at the end of the day, you should just be judged by your work, not on what effect it might have on the world or your community.

You don't hire for mediocrity. Instead, you bring people onto your team because you know that they'll make a valuable contribution and turn in amazing work. But, in order to have that expectation, you need to make sure you're fostering an environment that allows them to do so.