David Maister

Before a leader can be accepted, let alone succeed, autonomous professionals must agree to be influenced by that person.

— David Maister

No one can manage you if you don't give them permission to do so. But if you are interested in accomplishing as…

— David Maister

Success comes from doing what you enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, how can it be called success?

— David Maister

The courage to care about your people, your clients, and your career.

— David Maister

What do I have to do to earn and deserve the key relationships that are going to get me where I want…

— David Maister

More than any other factor, it is the people we have to deal with that determine the quality of our work lives.

— David Maister

Professionals have to decide on which subjects they are prepared to give nagging rights

— David Maister

I will not accept your guidance and critique unless you are supportive and nurturing. On the other hand, you need to be…

— David Maister

Stop teaching students that they are the best and the brightest.

— David Maister

Left untended, knowledge and skill, like all assets, depreciate in value surprisingly quickly.

— David Maister

Professional is not a label you give yourself - it's a description you hope others will apply to you.

— David Maister

Truly visionary and successful companies have discovered that there is no conflict between the pursuit of profit and having a pursuit beyond…

— David Maister

Believe passionately in what you do, and never knowingly compromise your standards and values. Act like a true professional, aiming for true…

— David Maister

What you do with your billable time determines your current income, but what you do with your non-billable time determines your future.

— David Maister

A true professional feels no pressure to run up a client's bill, knowing that any reduction in revenues caused by being efficient…

— David Maister

You cannot and should not try to please everyone. Make sure that the right people like you, and it will be expected…

— David Maister

If your clients aren't actively telling their friends about you, maybe your work isn't as great as you think it is.

— David Maister

I will accept your influence, guidance and direction if (and only if) I believe that you and I share similar goals.

— David Maister

What is important is what inspires persistence and determination- in other words what you care about.

— David Maister

When did you feel most fulfilled? When did you impress yourself, or otherwise feel most proud of yourself?

— David Maister

Your task as a leader is to help others to succeed, not to strive only for your own success. If I don't…

— David Maister

Focus on being the best you can at what you want to do.

— David Maister

Don't get stampeded by what people around you value. The task is to figure out what YOU value - and value highly…

— David Maister

Whether or not your values are operational is crucially determined by whether or not there are consequences for noncompliance.

— David Maister

The noble path does win but only if you are prepared to make the investment over a long period of time.

— David Maister