Agnostic Quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer
“Today, if the CEO thinks it's a good idea, it's done everywhere; if the CEO thinks it's a bad idea, it's done nowhere. We ought to be more agnostic and open to learning things that we didn't expect - and the only way to do that is to try things and be open-minded about how well they are working. And third, evidence-based management involves reading and learning - just like doctors do - and to do so not just in school but afterward, as well.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't by Jeffrey Pfeffer, 2010
Effective leadership requires openness, evidence‑based decision making, and continuous learning, rather than blind deference to authority.
In simple terms: Leaders should be open, evidence‑driven, and keep learning.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, seek data, keep learning.
Themes
leadership
learning
evidence
open‑mindedness
authority
Mood
critical
inquisitive
analytical
Type
business
educational
motivational
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- management training
- policy development
Key Concepts
Organizational behavior
decision theory
continuous improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test a CEO’s idea before adopting it?
- What sources of evidence are most reliable?
A Different Perspective
Evidence can be misinterpreted or ignored.
