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Peter Drucker on communication

"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said."

About seven years ago I was contacted by the Peter F. Drucker Foundation inquiring if I would consult with his wife on bringing a new product to market. Me? Consult with Peter Drucker's wife? Wow! I asked the guy on the phone why Mr. Drucker wasn't helping her. He replied that Mr. Drucker doesn't do this stuff, he simply writes about it.

I loved that brutally honest statement. And that's why I loved Drucker. He was a smart, honest and humble guru (despite the fact that he hated being called one). I don't know about you, but I rarely run into people like him in today's business world of pseudo celebrities and raging egos. I'll miss Mr. Drucker.

For a limited time, McKinsey is offering articles inspired by Drucker from the McKinsey Quarterly archive about knowledge workers and how companies can maximize the benefits from their in-house knowledge. Normally reserved for premium members, these articles are available to all site members until November 21. Do yourself a favor and sign up and read them (free this week only):

If you're interested in hearing the man himself, click here.

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Comments

The McKinsey articles are not by Drucker, merely inspired by him. That's generous of McKinsey to credit another's thinking.

Peter was the real thing and will be missed. I wrote a little about my work with him when I was with the Drucker Foundation on my blog. http://4nonprofits.org/PFD-appreciation

Thanks Rob. I corrected it and added a link to an interview with Drucker on On Point radio.

That should have been an incredible experience for you, Tom. I can´t imagine how it can sound a business proposition like that.

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