I recently re-read Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins. Published in 2001 this is not a new book but it is a classic, in large measure because of its insights. In fact, I review it from time to time and to that end wanted to share a few Good to Great gems with you.
- The research suggests that “greatness” is synonymous with survival over an extended period of time.
- Focus on what not to do and what you should stop doing.
- Do not focus on technology as the goal in and of itself.
- The transformational companies paid almost no attention to managing change or motivating people. When everything else is right, this is not needed.
- Transformations did not require a new name, tagline, branding or a launch program. The change was focused on improving performance.
- The best leaders are fanatically driven, infected with an incurable need to produce sustained results over time.
- It is more critical to identify the right people for your team than to focus on strategy and vision.
- The best management teams consist of individuals who debate vigorously in search of the best answer.
- If you hire correctly, you will not need to financially motivate the wrong people.
- Being the right person for a role and company is more focused on personal character and his innate capability and willingness to learn. This is more critical than specific knowledge, experience or skill set.