Great Quotes: Super Seven From The Collection of Michael Wade

Michael Wade is a GREAT blogger I have been following since 2006. He provides very interesting commentary, shares some fantastic resources and thoughts on his blog Execupundit. He was the first blogger to have linked back to this blog way back in 2006.

Whenever I need some inspiration, I refer to “Quote of the day” series on Michael’s blog. You know what? They never fail to inspire me. Today, I am presenting Seven best business quotes I have read off late on Execupundit: 

A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. (Link)
- Francis Bacon

Why do questions matter more than answers? If you don’t ask the right question, it doesn’t matter what your answer is. And if you do ask the right question, no matter what your answer, you will learn something of value. (Link)

- Alan M. Weber

Power of right questions in business environment cannot be undermined. You can read my views on this in my posts “Right Questions > Right Answers > Right Results” and “Ask Right Questions”.

Those who speak most of progress measure it by quantity and not by quality. (Link)
- George Santayana

I wrote two posts (here and here) which presents my views on quality and quantity – and why achieving quality is the first step towards excellence.

The usual way of doing things often gets in the way of doing things. (Link)
- Russell L. Ackoff and Sheldon Rovin, Beating the System

In some cases, a system can be beaten by rigorously following its rules and regulations. (Link)
- Russell L. Ackoff

In my view, processes are “tools” that help us become more effective. That, in no way, means that processes are a silver bullet that will solve all your problems.

People don’t work for an organization; they are the organization. (Link)
- Richard W. Buchanan

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. (Link)
- George Santayana

I collected great quotes ever since I was in school, because they allow us to peek into the minds of great thinkers. Profound learning in a few words.

Thank you Michael – for sharing such brilliant wisdom.

P.S: Michael Wade also wrote an advance praise and a review of my book #QUALITYtweet – 140 bite-sized ideas to delivery quality in every project.

Seth Godin’s “What Matters Now” and a Few More Gems

Seth Godin recently released a free eBook titled “What Matters Now” – it is a collaborative effort of 70 great thinkers who have presented brilliant ideas that will truly shake you up to think deep and wide as we approach 2010.

I read it and found it to be truly REMARKABLE with short and profound insights. Some of the ideas that deeply influenced me:

“Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb” – Hugh McLeod

“You are only as rich as the enrichment you bring to the world around you.” – Rajesh Setty (@upbeatnow on Twitter)

“Here’s the final measure of your success as a speaker: did you change something? Are attendees leaving with a new idea, some new inspiration, perhaps a renewed commitment to their work or to the world?” – Mark Hurst

“Gratefulness is a muscle, not a feeling. You need to work it out daily. Every morning, give thanks to two people that helped you yesterday and one person that will assist you today. This will focus your mind on what you have, and you’ll soon realize you are not alone.” – TimSanders (@sanderssays on Twitter)

Download it now and share the invaluable wisdom from some of the best brains!

A Few More Gems

• Rajesh Setty is known for executing innovative concepts that educate, add value and inspire. This time, he does it with series titled “BLOGTASTIC! Growing and Making a Difference Through Blogging” – if you are a blogger or an aspiring-blogger, this collection is bound to help you a great deal.
• Steve Roesler gives us three simple and powerful ideas to manage conflicts.
• Michael Wade writes about successful strategies for fighting fear. Quite an interesting read.
• Lisa Haneberg emphasizes on Agility as an important leadership skill –  Agility for leaders is an important skill to focus on in 2010.
• Wally Bock says that Leadership might be a bad choice for you if…. (read on)
• Nicholas Bate honored me by including me in his list of Bloggers of The Year 2009 – what an incredible way to encourage others! Thanks Nicholas.

Enjoy reading these gems and have a great weekend ahead!