1.
Always aim at perfection for only then will you achieve excellence
J. R. D. Tata
Strive for the highest quality and you will gain superiority.
2.
Money is like manure. It stinks when you pile it; it grows when you spread it
J. R. D. Tata
Money is like fertilizer. It reeks when it accumulates; it flourishes when dispersed.
3.
If I have any merit, it is getting along with individuals, according to their ways and characteristics. At times it involves suppressing yourself. It is painful, but necessary. To be a leader you have got to lead human beings with affection.
J. R. D. Tata
4.
Productivity and efficiency can be achieved only step by step with sustained hard work, relentless attention to details and insistence on the highest standards of quality and performance.
J. R. D. Tata
Accomplishment and proficiency can be attained only gradually with relentless effort, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to the utmost excellence and capability.
5.
I do not want India to be an economic superpower. I want India to be a happy country.
J. R. D. Tata
I do not desire India to be a powerful economy. I wish for India to be a content nation.
6.
No success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people and is achieved by fair and honest means.
J. R. D. Tata
No accomplishment of material value is rewarding unless it benefits the nation and its inhabitants, and is attained through equitable and upright methods.
7.
Uncommon thinkers reuse what common thinkers refuse
J. R. D. Tata
Innovative minds repurpose what pedestrian thinkers discard.
8.
Good human relations not only bring great personal rewards but are essential to the success of any enterprise.
J. R. D. Tata
Friendly interpersonal interactions not only provide tremendous personal fulfillment but are critical to the prosperity of any business.
9.
Most of our troubles are due to poor implementation….wrong priorities and unattainable targets
J. R. D. Tata
Most of our misfortunes arise from inadequate execution....inappropriate priorities and unachievable objectives.
10.
Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without deep thought and hard work.
J. R. D. Tata
No accomplishment of significance is ever attained without intense contemplation and strenuous effort.
11.
To be a leader, you have got to lead human beings with affection
J. R. D. Tata
Conduct people with tenderness
12.
Cleanliness is the Hallmark of perfect standards and the best quality inspector is the conscience
J. R. D. Tata
Pristine tidiness is the insignia of immaculate standards and the preeminent quality evaluator is one's moral compass.
13.
The essence of air transport is speed, and speed is unfortunately one of the most expensive commodities in the world, principally because of the disproportionate amount of the power required to achieve high speed and to lift loads thousands of feet into the air. This is strikingly illustrated by the fact that while an average cargo ship, freight train and transport aeroplane are each equipped with engines totalling about 2,500 H.P., the ship can carry a load of about 7,000 tons, the train 800 tons and the plane only two and a half tons.
J. R. D. Tata
14.
Making steel may be compared to making a chappati. To make a good chappati, even a golden pin will not work unless the dough is good
J. R. D. Tata
15.
If you want excellence, you must aim at perfection. It makes you go into detail that you can avoid. It takes a lot of energy out of you but that's the only way you finally actually achieve excellence. So in that sense, being finicky is essential.
J. R. D. Tata
16.
The wealth gathered by Jamsetji Tata and his sons in half a century of industrial pioneering formed but a minute fraction of the amount by which they enriched the nation. The whole of that wealth is held in trust for the people and used exclusively for their benefit. The cycle is thus complete; what came from the people has gone back to the people many times over.
J. R. D. Tata
17.
Quality is first engineered; only then it is inspected
J. R. D. Tata
18.
Live Life a little dangerously
J. R. D. Tata
19.
I know that aiming at perfection has its drawbacks. It makes you go into details that you can avoid but that is the only way you can achieve excellence. So, in that case, being finicky is essential.
J. R. D. Tata
20.
To lead men, you have to lead them with affection.
J. R. D. Tata