The book 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins offers valuable insights into what makes some companies successful while others fail. The reviewer found the book's focus on large organizations challenging to apply to smaller businesses, but the core concepts, such as the hedgehog concept and the Stockdale Paradox, were particularly intriguing and useful.
The reviewer initially struggled to recall specific insights from their first reading of 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins. Upon rereading, they found the book's focus on large organizations less applicable to their own smaller businesses. However, the core concepts, such as the hedgehog concept—focusing on a central mission—and the Stockdale Paradox—maintaining faith while confronting reality—were particularly intriguing. The book emphasizes the importance of getting the right people on board and focusing on key elements to achieve greatness. The reviewer found these insights valuable and believes they can be beneficial for others as well.
Quick quotes
The core of the book is looking for common characteristics of organizations that were able to sustain better than market performance (3x) for a long time (fifteen years).
Perhaps what intrigued me the most during this rereading was the idea that motivation, alignment, and commitment seem to happen magically if you can determine the one central mission of the organization and get the organization started on that path.
One of the key messages — and speaking as someone who continues to try to find the right people is very difficult — is getting the right people on the bus.