"The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a very creative mind to spot wrong questions."
Antony Jay
Author
Antony Jay was a British author and broadcaster known for his influential work on management and leadership, particularly in 'Management and Machiavelli.'
- Born
- December 17, 1930
- Quotes
- 9
- Rank
- #4325
About Antony Jay
Antony Jay — Life and Legacy
Antony Jay was a prominent British author and broadcaster recognized for his significant contributions to the understanding of management and leadership. His work, particularly 'Management and Machiavelli,' explores the intricate dynamics of power within organizations and the ethical responsibilities of leaders. Jay's core thinking revolves around the idea that effective leadership is not merely about efficiency but about making principled decisions that align with the greater good. He famously stated, 'A good manager is not a person who does things right, but a person who does the right things,' which encapsulates his belief in the moral dimensions of leadership. This perspective challenges conventional views that prioritize results over ethics, urging leaders to consider the broader implications of their actions. Jay's insights remain relevant today, as they encourage a more thoughtful approach to governance and organizational behavior, reminding us that the quality of leadership directly impacts societal outcomes.
Quote collection
Antony Jay quotes
9 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"The only real training for leadership is leadership."
"The Opposition aren't really the Opposition. They're just called the Opposition. But in fact they are the Opposition in exile. The Civil Service are the Opposition in residence."
"Referring the matter to a committee' can be a device for diluting authority, diffusing responsibility and delaying decisions."
"Men grow to the stature to which they are stretched when they are young."
"There is this great idea about the logic of a politician, along the lines of: "Something must be done, this is something, therefore we must do it."
"You can judge a leader by the size of the problem he tackles... Other people can cope with the waves, it's his job to watch the tide."
"In corporation [corporate] religions as in others, the heretic must be cast out not because of the probability that he is wrong but because of the possibility that he is right."
"You can judge a leader by the size of the problem he tackles - people nearly always pick a problem their own size, and ignore or leave to others the bigger or smaller ones."