John Naisbitt Quotes

Powerful John Naisbitt for Daily Growth

About John Naisbitt

John Naisbitt, an influential American futurist, political consultant, and author, was born on March 16, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. He is renowned for his best-selling book, "Megatrends" (1982), which analyzed global trends and their impact on the future of society, business, and politics. Naisbitt's interest in futurism began while he was studying at Colorado College, where he majored in economics and political science. After serving in the United States Army, he pursued a Master's degree in political science from the University of Denver. He later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. In the 1960s, Naisbitt moved to Taiwan with his family and started a consulting firm, where he advised multinational corporations on doing business in Asia. This experience led him to develop a keen understanding of Eastern culture and economics, which would later inform his work. Naisbitt's major works include "Megatrends," which identified seven global trends shaping the late 20th century, and "Megashifts" (1995), which discussed the shifts in human values and behaviors caused by these megatrends. His other notable works include "Trends: How to Forecast and Profit from the Global Future," "Toward 2000: Work and Leisure in the Information Age," and "Global Trends 2015." Naisbitt's work has been widely recognized and influential. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide, and he has advised numerous corporations and governments on future trends. John Naisbitt passed away on September 29, 2017, but his legacy continues to shape discussions about the future of society and business.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The future arrives sooner than you think."

This quote by John Naisbitt emphasizes that the future, or changes, tend to occur more rapidly than we anticipate or are prepared for. It encourages vigilance in staying abreast of trends and developments, as well as being adaptable and proactive rather than reactive, because the future will come knocking sooner than we might expect.


"We become what we think about all day long."

This quote emphasizes that our thoughts have a profound influence on shaping who we are as individuals. In essence, it suggests that constant focus or preoccupation with certain ideas or aspects of life molds our character, behavior, and ultimately, our destiny. Therefore, if we wish to improve ourselves, we must consciously cultivate positive thoughts and focus on constructive goals.


"Quality information is the key to power and wealth."

The quote by John Naisbitt suggests that in today's world, access to quality information equips individuals and organizations with significant power and potential wealth. In essence, he underscores the importance of meaningful data and knowledge as strategic assets that drive decision-making, innovation, and ultimately success. Essentially, the more accurate, relevant, and useful information one possesses, the greater their ability to influence outcomes and generate prosperity.


"High tech plus high touch equals high performance."

This quote by John Naisbitt emphasizes the importance of balancing technology (high-tech) with human interaction (high-touch) for optimal results or high performance. In today's digital age, while technology provides efficiency, automation, and scalability, it lacks the personal touch, empathy, and intuition that humans bring. To achieve the best outcomes, a combination of both is necessary: leveraging technology for its strengths while retaining the human element to address complex issues, foster relationships, and provide exceptional customer experiences. High-tech alone might lead to cold or impersonal interactions, while high-touch without technology may struggle to keep pace with evolving demands. A successful organization understands that the perfect blend of these two elements will lead to the best possible performance in their respective fields.


"Whatever data we can get, we can use."

This quote suggests that in our increasingly information-driven world, there's a strong belief that more data leads to greater understanding and improved decision-making. It underscores the importance of data collection and analysis in problem-solving and progress. However, it also serves as a cautionary reminder that while data is valuable, it must be used thoughtfully and ethically, considering factors such as privacy and potential misuse of information.


In the Marines, I was stunned, absolutely stunned, at everything around me, at what the world looked like.

- John Naisbitt

World, Stunned, Looked, Marines

In a world that is constantly changing, there is no one subject or set of subjects that will serve you for the foreseeable future, let alone for the rest of your life. The most important skill to acquire now is learning how to learn.

- John Naisbitt

Learning, Serve, Subject, Foreseeable Future

I was sure we would never see the adoption of the Euro. Countries giving up their currencies for a common tender was, it seemed to me, completely out of tune with currency being a carrier of people's cultural identity, celebrating national heroes and events, as it had been for hundreds of years.

- John Naisbitt

Giving Up, Been, Euro, Currency

The new leader is a facilitator, not an order giver.

- John Naisbitt

Leader, New, Order, Giver

Learning how to learn is the most precious thing we have in life.

- John Naisbitt

Precious, How, Most, Precious Thing

I was totally surprised by the spread of the legalization of same-sex marriage. In just my lifetime we have gone from a taboo to even talk about homosexuality, to the sanction by governments of homosexual marriage. Few such large social considerations have ever before been turned over in such a short time.

- John Naisbitt

Homosexuality, Been, Turned, Homosexual

One of the best kept secrets in America is that people are aching to make a commitment, if they only had the freedom and environment in which to do so.

- John Naisbitt

Best, Commitment, Which, Aching

Whenever a new technology is introduced into society, there must be a counterbalancing human response - that is, high touch - or the technology is rejected... We must learn to balance the material wonders of technology with the spiritual demands of our human nature.

- John Naisbitt

Learn, New, Rejected, New Technology

In the network model, rewards come by empowering others, not by climbing over them. If you work in a hierarchy, you may not want to climb to its top.

- John Naisbitt

Work, Over, May, Climbing

The more technology we introduce into society, the more people will aggregate, will want to be with other people: movies, rock concerts, shopping.

- John Naisbitt

Will, Other, More People, Shopping

We created the hierarchical, pyramidal, managerial system because we needed it to keep track of people and things people did; with the computer to keep track, we can restructure our institutions horizontally.

- John Naisbitt

People, Needed, Created, Hierarchical

In an information society, education is no mere amenity; it is the prime tool for growing people and profits.

- John Naisbitt

Growing, Prime, Profits, Tool

Leadership involves finding a parade and getting in front of it.

- John Naisbitt

Parade, Getting, Involves, Front

We must learn to balance the material wonders of technology with the spiritual demands of our human race.

- John Naisbitt

Balance, Wonders, Material, Demands

The most reliable way to forecast the future is to try to understand the present.

- John Naisbitt

Future, Reliable, Most, Forecast

Lawyers are like beavers: They get in the mainstream and dam it up.

- John Naisbitt

Lawyers, Like, Dam, Beaver

Trends, like horses, are easier to ride in the direction they are going.

- John Naisbitt

Easier, Like, Going, Trends

We are shifting from a managerial society to an entrepreneurial society.

- John Naisbitt

Society, Shifting, Entrepreneurial

Intuition becomes increasingly valuable in the new information society precisely because there is so much data.

- John Naisbitt

Data, New, Increasingly, Valuable

In their search for quality, people seem to be looking for permanency in a time of change.

- John Naisbitt

Change, Search, Looking, Quality

We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge.

- John Naisbitt

Knowledge, Starved, Drowning

Strategic planning is worthless - unless there is first a strategic vision.

- John Naisbitt

Vision, Planning, Strategic, Worthless

Value is what people are willing to pay for it.

- John Naisbitt

Value, People, Willing, Pay

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