--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great companies first build a culture of…" description: "\"“Great companies first build a culture of discipline . . . and create a business model that fits squarely in the intersection of three circles: what th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/isadore-sharp-42486_business_great-companies-first-build-a-culture-of_1506795.jpg" --- # Great companies first build a culture of discipline… ![“Great companies first build a culture of discipline . . . and create a business model that fits squarely in the intersection of three circles: what they can be best in the world at, a deep understanding of their economic engine, and the core values they hold with deep passion.” quote by Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/isadore-sharp-42486_business_great-companies-first-build-a-culture-of_1506795.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/isadore-sharp-42486_business_great-companies-first-build-a-culture-of_1506795.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/isadore-sharp-42486_business_great-companies-first-build-a-culture-of_1506795.jpg) > ““Great companies first build a culture of discipline . . . and create a business model that fits squarely in the intersection of three circles: what they can be best in the world at, a deep understanding of their economic engine, and the core values they hold with deep passion.”” [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Successful firms focus on three core strengths: unique capability, economic engine, and passionate values. **In simple terms:** Focus on strengths, engine, values. Key Takeaway Align business model with core strengths. Themes business strategy culture Mood analytical motivational Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - startup planning - corporate restructuring - brand development - leadership training Key Concepts discipline economic engine core values Questions to Reflect On - Which of the three circles is your organization strongest in? - How can you strengthen the weaker circles? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on one area can cause imbalance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Core values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/core-values/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ## Related quotes > [It's in the private places of the heart that freedom is made or unmade by the discipline we create there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/it-s-in-the-private-places-of-the-heart-that-freedom-is-made-or/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Integrate purpose into your for-profit business model through a long term commitment to a cause that is aligned with your core values and those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mainwaring/integrate-purpose-into-your-for-profit-business-model-through-a-long/) [Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/) > [There is a tremendous problem in modern culture. We have become used to everything coming to us with tremendous speed and ease. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/there-is-a-tremendous-problem-in-modern-culture-we-have-become-used/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [“When you combine a culture of discipline with an ethic of entrepreneurship, you get the magical alchemy of great performance. Technology”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/when-you-combine-a-culture-of-discipline-with-an-ethic-of/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [I don't look at sports as something which merely tones up the body. I look at it as a tool of education that stimulates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/i-don-t-look-at-sports-as-something-which-merely-tones-up-the-body-i/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [All companies have a culture, some companies have discipline, but few companies have a culture of discipline. When you have disciplined people, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/all-companies-have-a-culture-some-companies-have-discipline-but-few/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“A culture of discipline involves a duality. On the one hand, it requires people who adhere to a consistent system; yet, on the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/a-culture-of-discipline-involves-a-duality-on-the-one-hand-it/) [James C. 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Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Integrity, probity, ethics and transparency is needed but most important is the culture of discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinod-rai/integrity-probity-ethics-and-transparency-is-needed-but-most/) [Vinod Rai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinod-rai/) > [“Doing and acting build a culture of excellence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-a-leroy/doing-and-acting-build-a-culture-of-excellence/) Kathryn A. LeRoy > [When I was trying to popularize the concept of the Internet - ten or 15 years ago - I came up with this concept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-case/when-i-was-trying-to-popularize-the-concept-of-the-internet-ten-or-15/) [Steve Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-case/) > [We need now to build a culture of geniune nonviolence and real democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/we-need-now-to-build-a-culture-of-geniune-nonviolence-and-real/) [Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/) > [In world history, those who have helped to build the same culture are not necessarily of one race, and those of the same race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-benedict/in-world-history-those-who-have-helped-to-build-the-same-culture-are/) [Ruth Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-benedict/) > [You obviously have to build a culture, a foundation. You must build the right talent however you do it. Then you have to build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-spoelstra/you-obviously-have-to-build-a-culture-a-foundation-you-must-build-the/) [Erik Spoelstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-spoelstra/) ## More by Isadore Sharp > [The simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/the-simple-idea-that-if-you-treat-people-well-the-way-you-would-like/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [“Business books credit Isadore with “a talent for innovation” and the mind of an “integrative thinker.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/business-books-credit-isadore-with-a-talent-for-innovation-and-the/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [Long-term success is never achieved on our own. The phrase 'a self-made man' is a myth all along the way we need support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/long-term-success-is-never-achieved-on-our-own-the-phrase-a-self-made/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion and culture. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/the-reason-for-our-success-is-no-secret-it-comes-down-to-one-single/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [Whatever you do, don't ever use a crutch, and don't ever think of having an excuse for not having said, 'Yeah, I did my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/whatever-you-do-don-t-ever-use-a-crutch-and-don-t-ever-think-of/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [Luxury, by definition, means something that appears to be the best of whatever it represents. It's a word that raises people's expectations, whether talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/luxury-by-definition-means-something-that-appears-to-be-the-best-of/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [Living up to your commitments is part of business ethics. My word is my bond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/living-up-to-your-commitments-is-part-of-business-ethics-my-word-is/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [We are only what we do, not what we say we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/we-are-only-what-we-do-not-what-we-say-we-are/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) > [People derive the most satisfaction from doing the best they can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadore-sharp/people-derive-the-most-satisfaction-from-doing-the-best-they-can/) [Isadore Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) [Explore all 10 Isadore Sharp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadore-sharp/) ## More Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. 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