289 Quotes by Clayton M. Christensen

A good theory doesn’t change its mind: it doesn’t apply only to some companies or people, and not to others. It is a general statement of what causes what, and why.

Core competence, as it is used by many managers, is a dangerously inward-looking notion. Competitiveness is far more about doing what customers value than doing what you think you’re good at.

Focus is scary – until you realize that it only means turning your back on markets you could never have anyway. Sharp focus on jobs that customers are trying to get done holds the promise of greatly improving the odds of success in new-product development.

They must be plans for learning rather than plans for implementation.

If you defer investing your time and energy until you see that you need to, chances are it will already be too late.

Christine and I haven’t raised our children. A whole community of selfless Christians has contributed to helping them become faithful, competent adults.

What you need is a fundamental humility – the belief that you can learn from anyone.

I have healed the sick by the power of the God. I have spoken with the gift of tongues.

But actually theory is very practical. Gravity is a theory, for example. It allows you to predict that if you step off a cliff you will fall; you don’t have to collect data on that.