--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great organizations, unlike countries…" description: "\"“Great organizations, unlike countries, are never run like a democracy.”\" — Patrick Lencioni" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/patrick-lencioni-1969_democracy_great-organizations-unlike-countries-are_2572941.png" --- # Great organizations, unlike countries, are never run like… ![“Great organizations, unlike countries, are never run like a democracy.” quote by Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/patrick-lencioni-1969_democracy_great-organizations-unlike-countries-are_2572941.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/patrick-lencioni-1969_democracy_great-organizations-unlike-countries-are_2572941.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35e/patrick-lencioni-1969_democracy_great-organizations-unlike-countries-are_2572941.png) > ““Great organizations, unlike countries, are never run like a democracy.”” [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Organizations operate with hierarchical structures, unlike democratic nations. **In simple terms:** Companies aren’t democracies. Key Takeaway Recognize corporate hierarchy. Themes leadership structure governance Mood analytical pragmatic Type business philosophical When to use this quote - corporate meetings - policy making - team management - strategic planning Key Concepts hierarchy authority organizational design Questions to Reflect On - How does hierarchy affect decision speed? - Can democratic elements benefit your organization? A Different Perspective Democratic processes can improve engagement; hierarchy isn’t always efficient. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Great organizations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-organizations/) [Organizations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organizations/) ## Related quotes > [I've been so fortunate in life to have worked for such great organizations, with great owners and general managers and all the great players,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-ve-been-so-fortunate-in-life-to-have-worked-for-such-great/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [I've been very fortunate to play for four great organizations, but New York really takes the cake. Wearing the pinstripes is something that's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/i-ve-been-very-fortunate-to-play-for-four-great-organizations-but-new/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) > [We should celebrate the fact that, unlike some countries in the world, the United States makes promises that we will never send any student…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-devos/we-should-celebrate-the-fact-that-unlike-some-countries-in-the-world/) [Betsy DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-devos/) > [It's good to have a country like New Zealand which is seen as safe, sophisticated, no real issues, unlike some countries, maybe Africa, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sangfroid-stalker/it-s-good-to-have-a-country-like-new-zealand-which-is-seen-as-safe/) [SangFroid Stalker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sangfroid-stalker/) > [Well-meaning Europeans sometimes argue that unlike the U.S., their countries are traditionally 'homogeneous' and have little experience with immigration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/well-meaning-europeans-sometimes-argue-that-unlike-the-u-s-their/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [Everything sells. 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The Environmental Working Group, Just Label…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-lister-jones/there-are-a-lot-of-great-organizations-who-are-fighting-for-food-and/) [Zoe Lister-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-lister-jones/) > [I really think there are many great organizations out there getting the word out about LGBT youth and bullying, but GLAAD has this way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-duran/i-really-think-there-are-many-great-organizations-out-there-getting/) [Elvis Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-duran/) > [I see the Baldrige process as a powerful set of mechanisms for disciplined people engaged in disciplined thought and taking disciplined action to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/i-see-the-baldrige-process-as-a-powerful-set-of-mechanisms-for/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/good-leaders-make-people-feel-that-they-re-at-the-very-heart-of/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [“Great managers play favorites and spend most of their time with their most productive people. Not because they discriminate, but because they deserve the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-coffman/great-managers-play-favorites-and-spend-most-of-their-time-with-their/) [Curt Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-coffman/) > [“Driving a positive, high-performing culture requires more than words. After all, everyone has a mission statement, but only the great organizations also have people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/driving-a-positive-high-performing-culture-requires-more-than-words/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [I have been with some great organizations, crossed paths with special people, and made numerous lasting relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-donovan/i-have-been-with-some-great-organizations-crossed-paths-with-special/) [Anne Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-donovan/) > [Great organizations demand a high level of commitment by the people involved. Eliminate politics, by giving everybody the same message. Keep a flat organization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/great-organizations-demand-a-high-level-of-commitment-by-the-people/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I do not believe great organizations have ever been built by trying to emulate another, any more than individual greatness is achieved by trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/i-do-not-believe-great-organizations-have-ever-been-built-by-trying/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) ## More by Patrick Lencioni > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Trust is the foundation of real teamwork (there is nothing touchy-feely about this).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/trust-is-the-foundation-of-real-teamwork-there-is-nothing-touchy/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“There is something so powerful about a person who in one moment can be confident enough to confront a client about a sensitive personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/there-is-something-so-powerful-about-a-person-who-in-one-moment-can/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“The idea is that your clients are looking for good suggestions, and they don’t mind sifting through some not-so-good ones as long as they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-idea-is-that-your-clients-are-looking-for-good-suggestions-and/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Are your people uncomfortable during meetings and tired at the end? If not, they're probably not mixing it up enough and getting to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/are-your-people-uncomfortable-during-meetings-and-tired-at-the-end-if/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [An organization has integrity—is healthy—when it is whole, consistent, and complete, that is, when its management, operations, strategy, and culture fit together and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/an-organization-has-integrity-is-healthy-when-it-is-whole-consistent/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I've become absolutely convinced that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre or unsuccessful ones has little, if anything, to do with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-ve-become-absolutely-convinced-that-the-seminal-difference-between/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Home is most important in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/home-is-most-important-in-the-long-run/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [If you don't know what your family stands for and what your life situation is, you're in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/if-you-don-t-know-what-your-family-stands-for-and-what-your-life/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“First, we go figure out how to recognize a real team player, the kind of person who can easily build trust, engage in healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/first-we-go-figure-out-how-to-recognize-a-real-team-player-the-kind/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [People will walk through fire for a leader that's true and human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/people-will-walk-through-fire-for-a-leader-that-s-true-and-human/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-majority-of-meetings-should-be-discussions-that-lead-to-decisions/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [At its core, all authentic growth depends on more customers wanting more of what your company offers. Any other drivers - pricing gimmicks, heroic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/at-its-core-all-authentic-growth-depends-on-more-customers-wanting/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/admit-your-weaknesses-and-limitations/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I have yet to meet members of a leadership team who I thought lacked the intelligence or the domain expertise required to be successful.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-have-yet-to-meet-members-of-a-leadership-team-who-i-thought-lacked/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) [Explore all 194 Patrick Lencioni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. 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