Mediocrity results first and foremost from management failure, not technological failure. James C. Collins More Quotes by James C. Collins More Quotes From 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 balancevisionchange I can just let my curiosity wander unleashed. James C. Collins unleashedwandercuriosity Faith in the endgame helps you live through the months or years of buildup. James C. Collins monthshelpingyears Consider the idea that charisma can be as much a liability as an asset. Your strength of personality can sow the seeds of problems, when people filter the brutal facts from you. James C. Collins personalitypeopleideas A visionary company doesn't simply balance between idealism and profitability: it seeks to be highly idealistic and highly profitable. James C. Collins idealismvisionariesbalance The kind of commitment I find among the best performers across virtually every field is a single-minded passion for what they do, an unwavering desire for excellence in the way they think and the way they work. 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 workspringmorning The people who don't have a great life are the ones who settle for a good one. James C. Collins settlingpeople To have a Welch-caliber C.E.O. is impressive.To have a century of Welch-Caliber C.E.O.'s all grown from the inside - well, that is one key reason why G.E. is a visionary company. James C. Collins visionarieskeysreason-why 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 greatnessstarsreal We must reject the idea... Well-intentioned, but dead wrong... That the primary path to greatness in the social sectors is to become "more like a business." Most businesses... Like most of anything else in life... Fall somewhere between mediocre and good. James C. Collins greatnessbusinessfall We learned that a former prisoner of war had more to teach us about what it takes to find a path to greatness than most books on corporate strategy. James C. Collins greatnesswarbook Some managers are uncomfotable with expressing emotion about their dreams, but it's the passion and emotion that will attract and motivate others. James C. Collins passionemotiondream 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 powerfulorganizationpeople 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 transitionleaderpeople You absolutely must have the discipline not to hire until you find the right people. James C. Collins disciplinepeople
