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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
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James C. Collins
Age: 66
Born: 1958
Born: January 25
Author
Businessperson
Journalist
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Boulder
Colorado
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Great
Good
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More quotes by James C. Collins
The essence of profound insight is simplicity.
James C. Collins
We are not imprisoned by circumstances, setbacks, mistakes or staggering defeats, we are freed by our choices.
James C. Collins
There is a sense of exhilaration that comes from facing head-on the hard truths and saying, We will never give up. We will never capitulate. It might take a long time, but we will find a way to prevail.
James C. Collins
If you have a charismatic cause you don't need to be a charismatic leader.
James C. Collins
Managing your problems can only make you good, whereas building your opportunities is the only way to become great.
James C. Collins
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
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
I've never found an important decision made by a great organization that was made at a point of unanimity. Significant decisions carry risks and inevitably some will oppose it. In these settings, the great legislative leader must be artful in handling uncomfortable decisions, and this requires rigor.
James C. Collins
Start a 'Stop Doing' list. I'll leave it as an existential dilemma on whether to put that task on your To Do list
James C. Collins
Companies that change best over time know first and foremost what should not change.
James C. Collins
The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change. The signature of mediocrity is inconsistency.
James C. Collins
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
I see the Baldrige process as a powerful set of mechanisms for disciplined people engaged in disciplined thought and taking disciplined action to create great organizations that produce exceptional results.
James C. Collins
I am completely Socratic.
James C. Collins
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
Just because a company falls doesn't invalidate what we can learn by studying that company when it was at its historical best.
James C. Collins
The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.
James C. Collins
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
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
The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconstancy. The signature of greatness is a disciplined and consistent focus on the right things.
James C. Collins
