All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work. Thomas J. Watson More Quotes by Thomas J. Watson More Quotes From Thomas J. Watson You don't hear things that are bad about your company unless you ask. It is easy to hear good tidings, but you have to scratch to get the bad news. Thomas J. Watson scratches news business It was courage, faith, endurance and a dogged determination to surmount all obstacles that built this bridge. Thomas J. Watson determination bridges motivational Failure is a teacher; a harsh one, but the best. Thomas J. Watson harsh teacher Would you like me to give you a formula for... success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You're thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all... you can be discouraged by failure -- or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember that's where you'll find success. On the far side. Thomas J. Watson Don't make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up. Thomas J. Watson Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost. Thomas J. Watson Man has made some machines that can answer questions provided the facts are profusely stored in them, but we will never be able to make a machine that will ask questions. The ability to ask the right question is more than half the battle of finding the answer. Thomas J. Watson All the problems of the world could be settled if people were only willing to think. The trouble is that people very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work. Thomas J. Watson If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work. Thomas J. Watson Solve it. Solve it quickly, solve it right or wrong. If you solve it wrong, it will come back and slap you in the face, and then you can solve it right. Lying dead in the water and doing nothing is a comfortable alternative because it is without risk, but it is an absolutely fatal way to manage a business. Thomas J. Watson If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate. Thomas J. Watson your you failure want success If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. Thomas J. Watson good you man time To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business and your business in your heart. Thomas J. Watson you business success heart Treat each case as an individual case, and give every man an opportunity to earn just as much money as he is capable of earning. Thomas J. Watson treat man money opportunity If you aren't playing well, the game isn't as much fun. When that happens I tell myself just to go out and play as I did when I was a kid. Thomas J. Watson game myself you business Good design is good business. Thomas J. Watson good design business The best way to supervise your men is from their reports that they make out. Thomas J. Watson your best men way