Persist Quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer
“Great strategy, not executed, can't possibly have any effect on performance because it doesn't actually affect anything. It's like planning for a successful surgery to remove a tumor. If no one picks up the knife and actually operates effectively, the diseases will persist.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't, Jeffrey Pfeffer, 1992
Plans without execution are ineffective; without action, even the best strategies cannot change outcomes.
In simple terms: Plans need action to work.
Key Takeaway
Execute plans to see impact.
Themes
strategy
execution
impact
leadership
Mood
critical
realistic
Type
advisory
pragmatic
When to use this quote
- business planning
- project management
- healthcare interventions
- policy making
Key Concepts
organizational behavior
implementation gap
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure follow‑through on your strategies?
- What barriers prevent execution?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑designed plans can fail if not acted upon.
