If you have a charismatic cause you don't need to be a charismatic leader. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“The best people don’t need to be managed. Guided, taught, led—yes. But not tightly managed.” — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The difference between a good leader and a great leader is humility. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The greatest leaders build organizations that, in the end, don't need them. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Throw leaders into an extreme environment, and it will separate the stark differences between greatness and mediocrity. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
True leadership has people who follow when they have the freedom not to. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Level 5 leaders are a study in duality: modest and willful, humble and fearless. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Leaders who led their organizations quietly and humbly, were much more effective than flashy, charismatic high profile leaders. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“The good-to-great leaders understood three simple truths. First, if you begin with “who,” rather than “what,” you can more easily adapt to… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Level 5 leaders are fanatically driven, infected with an incurable need to produce sustained results. They are resolved to do whatever it… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“The “yes-men” problem is mentioned here. The author says that even though “yes-people” can be pleasing to a leader, they will be… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“Even though many people think that being a great leader means being ambitious and having a certain reputation, this is not true… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“It is simply a manifestation of the “first who” principle: It’s not how you compensate your executives, it’s which executives you have… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The moment you feel the need to tightly manage someone, you've made a hiring mistake. The best people don't need to be… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“It is very important to grasp that Level 5 leadership is not just about humility and modesty. It is equally about ferocious… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“Yes, leadership is about vision. But leadership is equally about creating a climate where the truth is heard and the brutal facts… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“The evidence does not support the idea that you need an outside leader to come in and shake up the place to… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
I've never found an important decision made by a great organization that was made at a point of unanimity. Significant decisions carry… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Level 5 leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It's not… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Recruit entrepreneurial leaders and give them freedom to determine the best path to achieving their objectives. On the other hand, individuals must… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
You must ask, "What do we mean by great results?" Your goals don't have to be quantifiable, but they do have to… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Level 5 leaders are differentiated from other levels of leaders in that they have a wonderful blend of personal humility combined with… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“David Maxwell, like Darwin Smith and Colman Mockler, exemplified a key trait of Level 5 leaders: ambition first and foremost for the… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
“Level 5 leaders: ambition first and foremost for the company and concern for its success rather than for one’s own riches and… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Smart people instinctively understand the dangers of entrusting our future to self-serving leaders who use our institutions, whether in the corporate or… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
No matter what. Wherever your mind wanders, it seems to turn up at the same Field of Dreams. It's the vision you wake up… — James C. Collins Copy Share
“This might not sound very exciting (inventory management is not something that tends to rivet readers), but think of it this way: Imagine walking… — James C. Collins Copy Share
“Merck • Corporate social responsibility • Unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the company • Science-based innovation • Honesty and integrity • Profit, but… — James C. Collins Copy Share
“If you have the right people on the bus, they will be self-motivated. The real question then becomes: How do you manage in such… — James C. Collins Copy Share
“2. Core purpose is an organization’s most fundamental reason for being. It should not be confused with the company’s current product lines or customer… — James C. Collins Copy Share
The drive for progress doesn't wait for the external world to say "It's time to change." — James C. Collins Copy Share
The secret to a successful retirement is to find your retirement sweet spot. The sweet spot is where your passions, what you do best,… — James C. Collins Copy Share
Managing your problems can only make you good, whereas building your opportunities is the only way to become great. — James C. Collins Copy Share
Creative leadership impact increases in your 50's. When I turn 50 I want to say, "Nice start!" — James C. Collins Copy Share
“The fact that something is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” is irrelevant, unless it fits within the three circles. A great company will have many once-in-a-lifetime… — James C. Collins Copy Share
Don't take care of your career. Take care of your people. They will take care of your career. — James C. Collins Copy Share
Indeed, the real question is not, "Why greatness?" but "What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness?" if you have to… — James C. Collins Copy Share
“Compare Bethlehem Steel to Nucor. Both companies operated in the steel industry and produced hard-to-differentiate products. Both companies faced the competitive challenge of cheap… — James C. Collins Copy Share
