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Crankiness is a human attribute that, when people walk in…

“Crankiness is a human attribute that, when people walk in the door of Xerox, they remain human. The best way to get the best out of people is to not force them to be something other than they naturally are. Now what do they have to be? They have to be respectful. You can't be ridiculously…” quote by Ursula Burns
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“Crankiness is a human attribute that, when people walk in the door of Xerox, they remain human. The best way to get the best out of people is to not force them to be something other than they naturally are. Now what do they have to be? They have to be respectful. You can't be ridiculously disrespectful.”

Ursula Burns

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Recognizing and respecting each individual's natural personality yields better performance than forcing conformity.

In simple terms: Respect people’s natural selves for better results.

Key Takeaway

Accept and value authentic behavior.

Themes

respect leadership humanity

Mood

thoughtful professional

Type

advice leadership

When to use this quote

  • team meetings
  • performance reviews
  • hiring processes

Key Concepts

authenticity organizational culture

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance authenticity with organizational goals?
  • What boundaries are necessary for respect?
A Different Perspective

May overlook the need for professional standards.

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