Ricardo Semler Quotes & Sayings

“Once employees feel challenged, invigorated and productive, their efforts will naturally translate into profit and growth for the organisation.”

“Growth and profit are a product of how people work together.”

“People are responsible adults at home. Why do we suddenly transform them into adolescents with no freedom when they reach the workplace?”

“The key to management is to get rid of the managers.”

“A high percentage of organisations develop a military rationale, whereby only a very small number of people make all of the decisions. There is little wonder, then, that people aren't keen to get out of bed and come to work on a Monday morning.”

“The key to getting work done on time is to stop wearing a watch.”

“Bill Gore from Goretex was a very strong influence because he was one of the first larger companies to experiment with freedom in the workplace.”

“If you look at any kind of modern organization and you think, 'What are the foremost tools of power?' You will find that it is information.”

“In life, we do not give employees enough leeway. If you look around Semco's office, there are plenty of empty desks. The question is - where are these people? I do not have the slightest idea, but I am not interested.”

“The purpose of work is not to make money. The purpose of work is to make the workers, whether working stiffs or top executives, feel good about life.”