Peter E. Greulich's Blog for Short Thoughts, Insights and Witticisms

Ralph Waldo Emerson on "Culture"

4/25/2023

"The secret of culture is to learn that a few great points throughout history steadily reappear … and that these few are alone are to be regarded:

Image of the spines of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Five Volume Set of Essays

Courage to be what we are;
Love of what is simple and beautiful;
Independence and cheerful relations;
The wish to serve … to add somewhat to the well-being of men.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Conduct of Life"

I do wonder how many of us when we talk about our "work culture" or our "societal culture" apply these standards to our individual, daily contributions?

Especially, do we wish to serve … to add somewhat to the well-being of mankind?

Peter E. Greulich

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For Knowledge Workers, "Effectiveness" Is What Matters

4/19/2023

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Image of the front cover of Peter F. Drucker's

I would challenge any executive or employee to look at these following insights and not wonder, "Why can't we learn from the past?" As much as every generation has its differences, human nature is a constant that evolves over eons, not generations. These thoughts are over five decades old, but as new as every article you read today on "Quiet Quitting," and "Acting Your Wage."

Eventually, everything comes back to and onto the individual.

You "knowledge workers" control your destiny and attitude.

Be effective!

Peter E. Greulich, April 19, 2023

Quotes from Peter F. Drucker's "The Effective Executive"

Achieving Effectiveness, not Efficiency?

"For manual work, we need only efficiency; that is, the ability to do things right rather than the ability to get the right things done. … Working on the right things is what makes knowledge work effective."

Why Do Employees Check Out?

"The knowledge worker cannot be supervised closely or in detail. He can only be helped. But he must direct himself, and he must direct himself toward performance and contribution, that is, toward effectiveness. … The motivation of the knowledge worker depends on his being effective, on his being able to achieve.

"If effectiveness is lacking in his work, his commitment to work and to contribution will soon wither, and he will become a time-server going through the motions from 9 to 5."

What is an Executive?

"I have called 'executives' those knowledge workers, managers, or individual professionals who are expected by virtue of their position or their knowledge to make decisions in the normal course of their work that have significant impact on the performance and results of the whole."

More on Peter F. Drucker and Thomas J. Watson Leadership Thoughts

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Ralph Waldo Emerson on "Culture"

For Knowledge Workers, "Effectiveness" Is What Matters

Peter E. Greulich

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