Quote

Good is the enemy of great. And that's one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.

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
Becomes
Enemy
Littles
Reason
Little
Great
Good
Reasons
Keys

More quotes by 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
If we allow the celebrity rock-star model of leadership to triumph, we will see the decline of corporations and institutions of all types. The twentieth century was a century of greatness, but we face the very real prospect that the next century will see very few enduring great institutions.
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 people who don't have a great life are the ones who settle for a good one.
James C. Collins
Image
Managing your problems can only make you good, whereas building your opportunities is the only way to become great.
James C. Collins
Image
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
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
In an ironic twist, I now see Good to Great not as a sequel to Built to Last, but more of a prequel. Good to Great is about how to turn a good organization into one that produces sustained great results. Built to Last is about how you take a company with great results and turn it into an enduring great company of iconic stature.
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
In a world of constant change, the fundamentals are more important than ever.
James C. Collins
Image
The x factor of a great leader is humility combined with will.
James C. Collins
Image
A great company will have many once-in-a-liftetime opportunities.
James C. Collins
Image
It's what you do before you are in trouble, so that you can be strong when people most need you.
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
Comparison, a great teacher once told me, is the cardinal sin of modern life. It traps us in a game that we can't win. Once we define ourselves in terms of others, we lose the freedom to shape our own lives.
James C. Collins
Image
First figure out your partners, then figure out what ideas to pursue. The most important thing isn't the market you target, the product you develop or the financing, but the founding team.
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
Those who build and perpetuate mediocrity...are motivated more by the fear of being left behind.
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
Indeed, the real question is not, Why greatness? but What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness? if you have to ask the question, Why should we try to make it great? Isn't success enough? then you're probably int he wrong line of work.
James C. Collins