--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An ability to embrace new ideas…" description: "\"An ability to embrace new ideas, routinely challenge old ones, and live with paradox will be the effective leader's premier trait.\" — Tom Peters" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png" --- # An ability to embrace new ideas, routinely challenge old… ![“An ability to embrace new ideas, routinely challenge old ones, and live with paradox will be the effective leader's premier trait.” quote by Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png) > “An ability to embrace new ideas, routinely challenge old ones, and live with paradox will be the effective leader's premier trait.” [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective leaders thrive by constantly questioning assumptions, welcoming contradictions, and adapting to change. **In simple terms:** Leaders succeed by embracing new ideas and paradox. Key Takeaway Cultivate curiosity and flexibility. Themes leadership adaptability innovation Mood inspired thoughtful Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - strategic planning - crisis management - product development Key Concepts systems thinking paradoxical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance openness with decisive leadership? - What paradoxes do you face in your role? A Different Perspective May lead to indecision if not balanced with decisive action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Effective Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effective-leader-387523/) [Embrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Live Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-paradox-3412228/) [New ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-ideas/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Paradox Effective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox-effective-3412226/) [Premier Trait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/premier-trait-3412227/) [Traits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traits/) ## Related quotes > [When we want to infuse new ideas, to modify or better the habits and customs of a people, to breathe new vigor into its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/when-we-want-to-infuse-new-ideas-to-modify-or-better-the-habits-and/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [The new idea either finds a champion or it dies. No ordinary involvement with a new idea provides the energy required to cope with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-new-idea-either-finds-a-champion-or-it-dies-no-ordinary/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The greatest difficulty in the world is not for people to accept new ideas, but to make them forget old ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-greatest-difficulty-in-the-world-is-not-for-people-to-accept-new/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [To be an effective leader and make sound decisions, you must be able to gather data by seeking out diverse perspectives and be willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-thornton/to-be-an-effective-leader-and-make-sound-decisions-you-must-be-able/) [Elizabeth Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-thornton/) > [“Because all effective communication is goal-oriented, intended to change something, an effective leader or leadership team focuses on what it wants stakeholders to know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helio-fred-garcia/because-all-effective-communication-is-goal-oriented-intended-to/) [Helio Fred Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helio-fred-garcia/) > [In my opinion, being an effective leader requires being an effective listener. 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It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-troll/many-of-my-river-trips-came-in-between-jobs-as-it-was-a-way-to-take/) [Kate Troll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-troll/) > [An effective leader is able to reach people in their natural environment and extract their experiences and knowledge about the issues that impact them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aja-brown/an-effective-leader-is-able-to-reach-people-in-their-natural/) [Aja Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aja-brown/) > [An effective leader creates specific, achievable goals, initiates action and enlists the participation of others. They remove distractions; grasps the bigger picture, focuses on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wyatt/an-effective-leader-creates-specific-achievable-goals-initiates/) [Ken Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wyatt/) > [Gov. Romney is a proven and effective leader with vast experience in the business world, in the non-profit world and in government. 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Walk softly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-effective-leader-recognizes-that-she-is-more-dependent-on-her/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) ## More by Tom Peters > [The market may never coalesce around one basic design, or even around two or three dominant devices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-market-may-never-coalesce-around-one-basic-design-or-even-around/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Anybody who is an entrepreneur is a person who essentially has impaired judgment. The odds of success are zilch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/anybody-who-is-an-entrepreneur-is-a-person-who-essentially-has/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Remember my mantra: distinct... or extinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/remember-my-mantra-distinct-or-extinct/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [A good collection is more than just the sum of its parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/a-good-collection-is-more-than-just-the-sum-of-its-parts/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Leaders' careers will usually be determined by their handling of one or two critical events that no one could possibly anticipate or plan for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/leaders-careers-will-usually-be-determined-by-their-handling-of-one/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [I don't know what it means to manage the human imagination, but I do know that imagination is the main source of value in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/i-don-t-know-what-it-means-to-manage-the-human-imagination-but-i-do/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Hire disrespectful people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/hire-disrespectful-people/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Hire for attitude. 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If the day’s work cannot be assessed as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-excellence-standard-is-not-about-grand-outcomes-in-zenlike-terms/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The day firing becomes easy is the day to fire yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-day-firing-becomes-easy-is-the-day-to-fire-yourself/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Only pissed-off people change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/only-pissed-off-people-change-the-world/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [What you decide not to do is probably more important that what you decide to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/what-you-decide-not-to-do-is-probably-more-important-that-what-you/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) [Explore all 316 Tom Peters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. 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I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An ability to embrace new ideas, routinely challenge old ones, and live with paradox will be the effective leader's premier trait.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Peters" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinely-challenge-old-ones-and-live/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinely-challenge-old-ones-and-live/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f5/tom-peters-967_ability_an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinel_1985242.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“An ability to embrace new ideas, routinely challenge old ones, and live with paradox will be the effective…” — Tom Peters", "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": "Tom Peters", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "An ability to embrace new ideas,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinely-challenge-old-ones-and-live/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/an-ability-to-embrace-new-ideas-routinely-challenge-old-ones-and-live/#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 } } ] } ```