---
title: "6 Core Quotes By James C. Collins"
description: "6 Core quotes by James C. Collins. Plus more from James C. Collins and more Core sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/james-c-collins-2276_building_our-findings-do-not-represent-a-quick-fi_999052.jpg"
---

> [Our findings do not represent a quick fix, or the next fashion statement in a long string of management fads, or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/our-findings-do-not-represent-a-quick-fix-or-the-next-fashion/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/james-c-collins-2276_building_our-findings-do-not-represent-a-quick-fi_999052.jpg)

> [A visionary company doesn't simply balance between idealism and profitability: it seeks to be highly idealistic and highly profitable. A visionary company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/a-visionary-company-doesn-t-simply-balance-between-idealism-and-2/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/james-c-collins-2276_balance_a-visionary-company-doesn-t-simply-balan_1244201.png)

> [“If it’s not core, change it! Once you are clear about the core ideology, you should feel free to change absolutely anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-it-s-not-core-change-it-once-you-are-clear-about-the-core-ideology/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9b/james-c-collins-2276_change_if-it-s-not-core-change-it-once-you-are_1478977.png)

> [“Core ideology provides the glue that holds an organization together as it grows, decentralizes, diversifies, expands globally, and develops workplace diversity. Think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/core-ideology-provides-the-glue-that-holds-an-organization-together/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/james-c-collins-2276_core_core-ideology-provides-the-glue-that-hol_2175924.png)

> [Change your practices without abandoning your core values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/change-your-practices-without-abandoning-your-core-values/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d73/james-c-collins-2276_change_change-your-practices-without-abandoning_2330410.png)

> [The best CEOs in our research display tremendous ambition for their company combined with the stoic will to do whatever it takes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-best-ceos-in-our-research-display-tremendous-ambition-for-their/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/james-c-collins-2276_ambition_the-best-ceos-in-our-research-display-tr_2703474.png)

## Other authors on Core

## More by James C. Collins

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/no-matter-what-wherever-your-mind-wanders-it-seems-to-turn-up-at-the/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“This might not sound very exciting (inventory management is not something that tends to rivet readers), but think of it this way: Imagine walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/this-might-not-sound-very-exciting-inventory-management-is-not/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“Merck • Corporate social responsibility • Unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the company • Science-based innovation • Honesty and integrity • Profit, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/merck-corporate-social-responsibility-unequivocal-excellence-in-all/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Greatest danger is not failure, but be successful and not know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/greatest-danger-is-not-failure-but-be-successful-and-not-know-why/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-you-have-the-right-people-on-the-bus-they-will-be-self-motivated/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/2-core-purpose-is-an-organization-s-most-fundamental-reason-for-being/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [The drive for progress doesn't wait for the external world to say "It's time to change."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-drive-for-progress-doesn-t-wait-for-the-external-world-to-say-it/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [The secret to a successful retirement is to find your retirement sweet spot. The sweet spot is where your passions, what you do best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-secret-to-a-successful-retirement-is-to-find-your-retirement/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Managing your problems can only make you good, whereas building your opportunities is the only way to become great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/managing-your-problems-can-only-make-you-good-whereas-building-your/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Creative leadership impact increases in your 50's. When I turn 50 I want to say, "Nice start!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/creative-leadership-impact-increases-in-your-50-s-when-i-turn-50-i/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-fact-that-something-is-a-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity-is/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Don't take care of your career. Take care of your people. They will take care of your career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/don-t-take-care-of-your-career-take-care-of-your-people-they-will/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/indeed-the-real-question-is-not-why-greatness-but-what-work-makes-you/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [Not one of the good-to-great companies focused obsessively on growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/not-one-of-the-good-to-great-companies-focused-obsessively-on-growth/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/compare-bethlehem-steel-to-nucor-both-companies-operated-in-the-steel/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

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