--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An organization, no matter how well…" description: "\"An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it.\" — Dee Hock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg" --- # An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as… ![“An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it.” quote by Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg) > “An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it.” [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An organization’s success depends on its people, not just its structure. **In simple terms:** People determine an organization’s quality. Key Takeaway Invest in people to strengthen the organization. Themes leadership culture people organization Mood optimistic strategic thoughtful Type advice philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - company mergers - non‑profit management - startup formation - policy development Key Concepts human capital organizational design team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you cultivate a strong culture? - What practices ensure people align with organizational values? A Different Perspective Even great structures can fail with poor people; ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Designed Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/designed-good-2523841/) [Good people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Organization Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization-matter-3883487/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-live/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [In the end, I hope there's a little note somewhere that says I designed a good computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-wozniak/in-the-end-i-hope-there-s-a-little-note-somewhere-that-says-i/) [Steve Wozniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-wozniak/) > [Nature designed us to be of good cheer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-william-jerrold/nature-designed-us-to-be-of-good-cheer/) [Douglas William Jerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-william-jerrold/) > [If you're just focused on work, my view is that you'll never get enough back from any organization, no matter how fantastic the role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-porat/if-you-re-just-focused-on-work-my-view-is-that-you-ll-never-get/) [Ruth Porat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-porat/) > [No matter how senior you get in an organization, no matter how well you're perceived to be doing, your job is never done. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-johnson/no-matter-how-senior-you-get-in-an-organization-no-matter-how-well/) [Abigail Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-johnson/) > [First and most obvious, bring out the three old warhorses of competition - cost, quality, and service - and drive them to new levels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/first-and-most-obvious-bring-out-the-three-old-warhorses-of/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [ “Designed for good \[my friend was sputtering and throwing smoke\]. The soul was not designed for this, I thought. We were supposed to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/designed-for-good-my-friend-was-sputtering-and-throwing-smoke-the/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [It won't do away with hierarchy totally, but the principal leader will be the person who most exemplifies the kind of organization and behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/it-won-t-do-away-with-hierarchy-totally-but-the-principal-leader-will/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [To put it another way, I believe that purpose and principle, clearly understood and articulated, and commonly shared, are the genetic code of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/to-put-it-another-way-i-believe-that-purpose-and-principle-clearly/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [I think technology has changed America, not any one organization. Technology is taking the power away from the few. There'll be a lot more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-lamb/i-think-technology-has-changed-america-not-any-one-organization/) [Brian Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-lamb/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [People can live up to high standards, but they can't live up to perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/people-can-live-up-to-high-standards-but-they-can-t-live-up-to/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“Some people live their entire life not knowing who they are, others live their life thinking they are something they are not. Only a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hawkins/some-people-live-their-entire-life-not-knowing-who-they-are-others/) [Robert Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hawkins/) > [I think most people live in a space where they are looking for meaning in life and good in the world and that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryn-kagan/i-think-most-people-live-in-a-space-where-they-are-looking-for/) [Daryn Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryn-kagan/) > [“Two people who live their lives alone in rooms doing strange, gentle things can sometimes be together in the middle of a dangerous storm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-hunt/two-people-who-live-their-lives-alone-in-rooms-doing-strange-gentle/) [Samantha Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-hunt/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Dee Hock > [If you're in such a position of power and your ego is such that this is not possible, then its essential to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/if-you-re-in-such-a-position-of-power-and-your-ego-is-such-that-this/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [You learn nothing form your successes except to think too much of yourself. It is from failure that all growth comes, provided you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/you-learn-nothing-form-your-successes-except-to-think-too-much-of/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [To put it another way, I believe that purpose and principle, clearly understood and articulated, and commonly shared, are the genetic code of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/to-put-it-another-way-i-believe-that-purpose-and-principle-clearly/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Every mind is a room packed with archaic furniture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/every-mind-is-a-room-packed-with-archaic-furniture/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [It won't do away with hierarchy totally, but the principal leader will be the person who most exemplifies the kind of organization and behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/it-won-t-do-away-with-hierarchy-totally-but-the-principal-leader-will/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple stupid behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/simple-clear-purpose-and-principles-give-rise-to-complex-intelligent/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Lead yourself, lead your superiors, lead your peers, and free your people to do the same. All else is trivia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/lead-yourself-lead-your-superiors-lead-your-peers-and-free-your/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [The closest thing to a law of nature in business is that form has an affinity for expense, while substance has an affinity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/the-closest-thing-to-a-law-of-nature-in-business-is-that-form-has-an/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [It is not making better people of others that management is about. It's about making a better person of self. Income, power, and titles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/it-is-not-making-better-people-of-others-that-management-is-about-it/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Money motivates neither the best people, nor the best in people. It can move the body and influence the mind, but it cannot touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/money-motivates-neither-the-best-people-nor-the-best-in-people-it-can/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [We don't have to remain in this radically destructive mind-set and institutional-set. We can change, and the natural order of things could emerge in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/we-don-t-have-to-remain-in-this-radically-destructive-mind-set-and/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [The essence of community, its heart and soul, is the non-monetary exchange of value; things we do and share because we care for others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/the-essence-of-community-its-heart-and-soul-is-the-non-monetary/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Life will never surrender its secrets to a yardstick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/life-will-never-surrender-its-secrets-to-a-yardstick/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Success follows those adept at preserving the substance of the past by clothing it in the forms of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/success-follows-those-adept-at-preserving-the-substance-of-the-past/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) > [Substance is enduring, form is ephemeral. Failure to distinguish clearly between the two is ruinous. Success follows those adept at preserving the substance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/substance-is-enduring-form-is-ephemeral-failure-to-distinguish/) [Dee Hock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) [Explore all 62 Dee Hock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/) ## More Good people quotes > [“Any discussion of money and success would be lacking if I did not state that money is neither good nor bad. In the hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-stovall/any-discussion-of-money-and-success-would-be-lacking-if-i-did-not/) [Jim Stovall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-stovall/) > [From what I have seen, I am driven to the conclusion that religion is only good for good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/from-what-i-have-seen-i-am-driven-to-the-conclusion-that-religion-is/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/) [Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/) > [If I had a million dollars, I just wouldn't just completely set back. I'd have to get out there and show my face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muddy-waters/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-i-just-wouldn-t-just-completely-set-back-i/) [Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muddy-waters/) > [Constantly look for the good in people and in situations. When you find it, tell the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/constantly-look-for-the-good-in-people-and-in-situations-when-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Life is all about experiences and being able to work with good people is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika-chawla/life-is-all-about-experiences-and-being-able-to-work-with-good-people/) [Bhumika Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika-chawla/) > [Good people do not let others suffer needlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/good-people-do-not-let-others-suffer-needlessly/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [Freedom and liberty lose out by default because good people are not vigilant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/freedom-and-liberty-lose-out-by-default-because-good-people-are-not/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Good people are found not changed. Recently I read a headline that said, 'We don't teach people to be nice. We simply hire nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/good-people-are-found-not-changed-recently-i-read-a-headline-that/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [One of the things that I miss about Canada is that even the strangers, you have an immediate rapport, there's just an understanding that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/one-of-the-things-that-i-miss-about-canada-is-that-even-the-strangers/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [“...I'd be interested in any tips you have for somebody starting out.” “Uh-huh,” I said, looking out the window. I decided, as we drove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/i-d-be-interested-in-any-tips-you-have-for-somebody-starting-out-uh/) [Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/) > [I've had a lot of good people, lot of good mentors, coaches along the way to get me where I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sale/i-ve-had-a-lot-of-good-people-lot-of-good-mentors-coaches-along-the/) [Chris Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sale/) > [On the West Coast, things are more relaxed, maybe because people have more fun outdoors. In the East, where the weather is not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-parish/on-the-west-coast-things-are-more-relaxed-maybe-because-people-have/) [Robert Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-parish/) > [I want to spend my time with people who don't look to be respected. But such good people won't want to spend their time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osamu-dazai/i-want-to-spend-my-time-with-people-who-don-t-look-to-be-respected/) [Osamu Dazai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osamu-dazai/) [Browse all 2,064 Good people quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dee Hock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/an-organization-no-matter-how-well-designed-is-only-as-good-as-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Good people" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/an-organization-no-matter-how-well-designed-is-only-as-good-as-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/292/dee-hock-11001_good-people_an-organization-no-matter-how-well-desig_2344097.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it.” — Dee Hock", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dee Hock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-hock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "An organization, no matter how well...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/an-organization-no-matter-how-well-designed-is-only-as-good-as-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-hock/an-organization-no-matter-how-well-designed-is-only-as-good-as-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```