In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America's Best-Run Companies

by Thomas J. Peters

The total of left- and right-brain research suggests simply that businesses are full (100 percent) of highly “irrational” (by left-brain standards), emotional human beings: people who want desperately to be on winning teams (“seek transcendence”); individuals who thrive on the camaraderie of an effective small group or unit setting (“avoid isolation”); creatures who want to be made to feel that they are in at least partial control of their destinies (“fear helplessness”). Now, we seriously doubt that the excellent companies have explicitly proceeded from right-brain considerations in developing their management practices. But the effect is such that it appears they have, especially in relation to their competitors. They simply allow for — and take advantage of — the emotional, more primitive side (good and bad) of human nature. They provide an opportunity to be the best, a context for the pursuit of quality and excellence.