Jim Collins

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Humility in leadership

  “There is a direct relationship between the absence of celebrity and the presence of good-to-great results.”

  Our noteHe was discussing why celebrity CEOs often fail to produce long-term greatness.

• Selfless ambition

  “for leaders to make something great, their ambition has to be for the greatness of the work and the company, rather than for themselves.”

  Our noteHe was explaining the deeper motivation of leaders who build great companies.

• Identity over direction

  “Those who built the visionary companies wisely understood that it is better to understand who you are than where you are going - for where you are going will almost certainly change”

  Our noteHe was describing the foundational mindset of founders who build enduring institutions.

• Defining core values

  “Core values = The organization's essential and enduring tenets - a small set of general guiding principles, not to be confused with specific cultural or operating practices, and not to be compromised for financial gain or short-term expediency.”

  Our noteHe was defining what constitutes the enduring core of a visionary company.

• Enduring effort

  “To build a visionary company, you've got to be ready for the long, hard pull. Success is never final.”

  Our noteHe was emphasizing that there are no shortcuts to building a lasting institution.

• People before strategy

  “It is better to first get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats, and then figure out where to drive.”

  Our noteHe was explaining the sequence of building a great organization.

• Quiet leadership

  “The most effective leaders of companies in transition are the quiet, unassuming people whose inner wiring is such that the worst circumstances bring out their best.”

  Our noteHe was describing the personality traits of leaders who successfully lead company transitions.

• Quality of companions

  “if we spend the vast majority of our time with people we love and respect - people we really enjoy being on the bus with and who will never disappoint us - then we will almost certainly have a great life, no matter where the bus goes.”

  Our noteHe was reflecting on the personal fulfillment found in working with the right team.

• Culture of discipline

  “A culture of discipline is not a principle of business, it is a principle of greatness.”

  Our noteHe was explaining that discipline is universal to all great organizations, including social sectors.

• Good vs Great

  “Good is the enemy of great. That good is the enemy of great is not just a business problem. It is a human problem”

  Our noteHe was discussing why so few organizations or individuals ever become truly great.