Quote

Smart people instinctively understand the dangers of entrusting our future to self-serving leaders who use our institutions, whether in the corporate or social sectors, to advance their own interests.

James C. Collins

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

James C. Collins
Age: 66
Born: 1958
Born: January 25
Author
Businessperson
Journalist
Writer
Boulder
Colorado
Interests
Interest
Entrusting
Whether
Management
Sectors
Future
Leaders
Instinctively
Understand
Institutions
Dangers
Use
Smart
Advance
Social
Danger
Serving
Self
Leader
Corporate
People
Decision

More quotes by James C. Collins

Image
Growth! is not a Hedgehog Concept. Rather, if you have the right Hedgehog Concept and make decisions relentlessly consistent with it, you will create such momentum that your main problem will not be how to grow, but how not to grow too fast.
James C. Collins
Image
It occurs to me,Jim,that you spend too much time trying to be interesting. Why don't you invest more time being interested? Collin's advice from John Gardner that he took to heart.
James C. Collins
Image
Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.
James C. Collins
Image
In a world of constant change, the fundamentals are more important than ever.
James C. Collins
Image
I am completely Socratic.
James C. Collins
Image
Level 5 leaders are a study in duality: modest and willful, humble and fearless.
James C. Collins
Image
You can't manufacture passion or motivate people to feel passionate. You can only discover what ignites your passion and the passions of those around you.
James C. Collins
Image
The critical question is not whether you'll have luck, but what you do with the luck that you get.
James C. Collins
Image
Profit is like oxygen, food, water, and blood for the body they are not the point of life, but without them, there is no life.
James C. Collins
Image
Those who build and perpetuate mediocrity...are motivated more by the fear of being left behind.
James C. Collins
Image
Those fortunate enough to find or create a practical intersection of the three circles have the basis for a great work life.
James C. Collins
Image
Genuine confidence is what launches you out of bed in the morning, and through your day with a spring in your step.
James C. Collins
Image
Don't take care of your career. Take care of your people. They will take care of your career.
James C. Collins
Image
Building a visionary company requires one percent vision and 99 percent alignment.
James C. Collins
Image
The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconstancy. The signature of greatness is a disciplined and consistent focus on the right things.
James C. Collins
Image
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. They're unflappable, they're ready to die if they have to. But you can trust that, when bad things are happening, they will become clearheaded and focused.
James C. Collins
Image
Genius of AND. Embrace both extremes on a number of dimensions at the same time. Instead of choosing a OR B, figure out how to have A AND B-purpose AND profit, continuity AND change, freedom AND responsibility, etc.
James C. Collins
Image
A visionary company doesn't simply balance between idealism and profitability: it seeks to be highly idealistic and highly profitable. A visionary company doesn't simply balance between preserving a tightly held core ideology and stimulating vigorous change and movement it does both to an extreme.
James C. Collins
Image
Most people will look back and realize they did not have a great life because it's just so easy to settle for a good life.
James C. Collins
Image
If you have a charismatic cause you don't need to be a charismatic leader.
James C. Collins