“Experience is the only prophecy of wise men”, thus proclaimed a wise man named,

- Michael Hyatt

Since ages, popular management thinkers, ‘gurus’, have promoted a number of performance improvement programs and management fashions which have greatly benefited the world. There are many business leaders and management thinkers who have contributed and introduced various management theories or terms over the years.They have enlightened the world with a wealth of information and taught invaluable lessons on discovering one’s true potential. They stand out for their wisdom, ability to think differently, face adversities with strength and more importantly, lead by example.

Let’s get ready to imbibe some wisdom from these prolific men who have revolutionized the management world.

PETER DRUCKER :

When anybody speaks of management, one name comes to mind: Peter Drucker, the most enduring and passionate guru of all. In 1997 McKinsey Quarterly said: “In the world of management gurus, there is no debate. Peter Drucker is the one guru to whom other gurus kowtow.” Drucker’s 39 books, along with his countless scholarly and popular articles, predicted many of the major developments of the late 20th century, including privatization and decentralization, the decisive importance of marketing and innovation, and the emergence of the information society with its necessity of lifelong learning. He has been hailed by Business Week as “the man who invented management,” Drucker directly influenced a huge number of leaders from a wide range of organizations across all sectors of society.

Here are some of his wise words to reinvigorate your passion for management and strategy:

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” - The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

“Business has two functions: Marketing & Innovation.” – Marketing attracts clients and innovation is how you’ll continuously deliver to your clients.

“Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the things right.” – With the rise of the knowledge, one does not ‘manage people.’ The task is to lead people.

STEVE JOBS :

When Steve Jobs passed away in 2011 at the young age of 56, the unfortunate loss of Apple’s CEO reverberated far beyond the business world. Jobs was more than just the head of Apple; he was a true futurist, and his “think different” approach to business and technology both ensured his company’s phenomenal success and made him into one of the country’s most admired business leaders. Steve Jobs was well known for his outspokenness and for his eccentric outlook. Habitually clad in his trademark casual black turtleneck and blue jeans, this California boy regularly dispensed his words of wisdom — on both business and life — with a sardonic sense of humor that intrigued him to many.

No matter what kind of businessman you want to be, you can learn a thing or two about extraordinary business leadership from his example.

“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” – That’s how he see’s business.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” - Innovation is such a critical part of leadership.

“Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.” In today’s changing marketplace, it’s vital to recognize when it is time to manage and persuade, and when the time has come to lead and inspire.

WARREN BUFFETT :

An entrepreneur, a genius investor, a billionaire, a philanthropist, known as “The Man” widely for his ethical and sustainable living, has definitely caught the world’s attention. A man who began investing since the age of 11 and a philanthropist who has vowed to give away his entire fortune of $53.5 Billion to charity is a household name throughout the world. Warren Buffett is the fourth richest man in the world and second richest man in the United States, only behind Bill Gates. More often referred to as the “Sage” or “Oracle” of Omaha, Warren Buffett is widely viewed as one of the most successful investors in the entire history.

Read on to the best eye-opening quotes by Warren Buffett.

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”– when Warren Buffett redefined the meaning of value.

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” - Learn to say NO.Saying NO to the nuisances around you would definitely make you a winner.

“It is not necessary to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results.” – You don’t always have to be the best all the time, just keep it simple.

THOMAS EDISON :

Thomas Edison was labeled dumb and scatterbrain by his school teachers but he went on to become one of the world’s greatest inventors and founded General Electric; one of the most powerful companies in the world.Edison will be remembered for his incandescent light bulb invention and his unyielding persistence.

Here are some of Thomas Alva Edison’s quotes, business lessons, and strategies for creativity.

“Anything that won’t sell, I don’t want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility and utility is success.” - Edison’s appetite for his work and new possibilities was Limitless.

“Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing. “– You should invest in a purpose, not hours.

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” - An idea is a call to become something more in the journey, a promising and grand ambition that things will not get only better, but extraordinary.

PHILIP KOTLER :

It is with good reason that Philip Kotler is known as the “Father of Marketing”. Kotler is author and co-author of some 60 books and 150 articles on business and marketing. Luckily for us, Kotler also has the useful ability to say a lot in just a few words, making him eminently quotable.

Budding marketers of the world – if you want to up your marketing game then read these quotes, memorize them, and let the wisdom of the Messiah of Marketing seep deep into the recesses of your brain.

“Authentic Marketing is not the art of selling what you make but knowing what to make.” – For Kotler, the marketing begins before you have a product.

“Markets always change faster than marketing.” – Kotler reminds us that marketers strive to keep up with the pace, as dictated by the markets.

“Be a cause, not just a business. Have a higher mission.” – Kotler reminds us that brands must be more than merely businesses. They must represent something that taps into dreams, ambitions, and values.

Hence we conclude that a manager is, therefore, an integral cog in any companies’ machinery!

From Peter Drucker to Philip Kotler- we have had the privilege to learn from some brilliant minds and great managers! People who came from nothing, and went on to become billionaires, people who combined book smarts with street smarts, managers who were great with people, and managers who had natural leadership skills!

Hope these great men give you the true motivation you need to succeed in life.