You absolutely must have the discipline not to hire until you find the right people. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The people who don't have a great life are the ones who settle for a good one. — 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
Most people will look back and realize they did not have a great life because it's just so easy to settle for… — James C. Collins Copy Share 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 Copy Share Image
“You can’t manufacture passion or “motivate” people to feel passionate. You can only discover what ignites your passion and the passions of… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The only way to deliver to the people who are achieving is to not burden them with the people who are not… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Don't take care of your career. Take care of your people. They will take care of your career. — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats... — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Not all time in life is equal. How many opportunities do you get to talk about what your life is going to… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The secret to a successful retirement is to find your retirement sweet spot. The sweet spot is where your passions, what you… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Those who build great companies understand that the ultimate throttle on growth for any great company is not markets, or technology, or… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
Look, I don't really know where we should take this bus. But I know this much: If we get the right people… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
I see the Baldrige process as a powerful set of mechanisms for disciplined people engaged in disciplined thought and taking disciplined action… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
The main point is first get the right people on the bus (and wrong people off the bus) before you figure out… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
In determing "the right people," the good-to-great companies placed greater weight on character attributes than on specific educational background, practical skills, specialized… — 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
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
If I were running a company today, I would have one priority above all others: to acquire as many of the best… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
All companies have a culture, some companies have discipline, but few companies have a culture of discipline. When you have disciplined people,… — James C. Collins Copy Share Image
For no matter what we achieve, if we don't spend the vast majority of our time with people we love and respect,… — 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
