The Wall Street Journal Essential Guide to Management

In 1959, Drucker became the first to use the phrase “knowledge worker”—a term that referred to people whose work primarily involves the manipulation of information and knowledge, rather than manual labor.

It has been pushed down into the organization—to the middle managers.

decision making can no longer be concentrated at the top of the pyramid. It has

The manager imitates; the leader originates.
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing

The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.

The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.

The manager administers; the leader innovates.

great leaders exhibit a paradoxical mix of arrogance and humility.

It doesn’t have to be that way

It’s as if the airlines chose their pilots from among their passengers.