Peter Drucker, an Austrian management scholar who called himself a social ecologist, continues to influence businesspeople around the world to this day.
In Japan, many people may have learned his name through Natsumi Iwasaki’s 2009 novel, What If the Manager of a High School Baseball Team Read Drucker’s “Management”? Although he is renowned in the field of management, his messages are actually full of insights essential to life as well.
So this time, we will introduce some of Peter Drucker’s famous quotes.
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Quotations (1–10) by Peter Drucker, the father of modern management who was also called a futurist
Do not start with what you can do; start with what is right.Peter Drucker
When starting work or taking on something new, many people tend to tackle the easy tasks that seem like they can be finished quickly.
However, Peter Drucker teaches us what we should prioritize with the words, “Do not start with what is easy, start with what is right.” Indeed, unless we begin with the things that require long-term growth and continuity, we may only be reducing the number of tasks without truly making progress.
It’s a quote that underscores the importance of setting the right priorities.
If you want something new, you need to let go of something old.Peter Drucker
While the time-honored values of history and tradition are important, clinging to them too tightly can become an obstacle when trying to create something innovative.
Peter Drucker’s famous quote, “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old,” teaches us that sometimes we need the courage to let go.
This applies not only to management, but also to everyday life: when we want change, there are times we must give up old habits.
It’s a message everyone who seeks change should keep in mind.
The most important thing in communication is to listen to what the other person does not say.Peter Drucker
The famous quote, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said,” conveys an essential idea not only for management, Peter Drucker’s field of expertise, but also for human relationships.
To a greater or lesser extent, people rarely reveal exactly what they truly think.
However, if you truly want to understand someone, you won’t get closer by staying on the surface.
Listen carefully to what they say and what they don’t say; drawing that out may be the key to advancing the relationship.
That said, if you push too hard to extract things they genuinely don’t want to say, it can create a barrier—so be careful.
Efficiency is doing things right, and effectiveness is doing the right things.Peter Drucker
The message “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things” is quintessential Peter Drucker, often called the father of modern management.
Efficiency isn’t just about speed; it’s about eliminating waste to create the shortest path.
Effectiveness is the act of revisiting that efficiency to ensure it serves the goal.
This mindset matters not only in management but also when individuals pursue their dreams.
Of course, there are times when sheer hard work is necessary, but by learning to choose and discard within that effort, you create the shortest route to your dream.
It’s a famous saying that anyone serious about achieving their dreams should know.
The only thing we know about the future is that it will be different from the present.Peter Drucker
The message that “the only thing we know about the future is that it will be different from the present” may seem obvious, yet it’s something many of us tend to forget.
If you find yourself despairing about the future—worrying that your current efforts will be wasted or that nothing will change no matter what you do—please remember this.
Peter Drucker taught that any action you take will inevitably bring about change.
Of course, change for its own sake isn’t the goal; I hope you can use this as a guiding principle to help ensure the future becomes better.
Start with the most important thing first.Peter Drucker
Have you ever found yourself wanting to start something new but not knowing where to begin? Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or, as a working professional, launching a new project, there are many such situations.
At times like that, remember Peter Drucker’s famous quote: “Start with what’s most important.” Once you sort out what should take priority and what can wait, what you need to do now becomes clear, and everything moves forward more smoothly.
Competence can be learned.Peter Drucker
When you’re in an organization, don’t you sometimes find yourself comparing yourself to people who are called “competent”? When we see someone who can do things we can’t, or things we never even imagined, anyone can start to lose confidence.
However, Peter Drucker teaches that “competence can be learned.” People who seem to have been competent from the start when viewed from the present may have acquired their abilities through unimaginable effort over the course of their lives and work.
It’s a quote that tells us people can change through effort and the way they approach things.