--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I were running a company today, I…" description: "\"If I were running a company today, I would have one priority above all others: to acquire as many of the best people as I could. I'd put off everything..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46b/james-c-collins-2276_ability_if-i-were-running-a-company-today-i-woul_2392272.png" --- # If I were running a company today, I would have one… ![“If I were running a company today, I would have one priority above all others: to acquire as many of the best people as I could. I'd put off everything else to fill my bus. Because things are going to come back. My flywheel is going to start to turn. And the single biggest constraint on the…” quote by James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46b/james-c-collins-2276_ability_if-i-were-running-a-company-today-i-woul_2392272.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46b/james-c-collins-2276_ability_if-i-were-running-a-company-today-i-woul_2392272.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46b/james-c-collins-2276_ability_if-i-were-running-a-company-today-i-woul_2392272.png) > “If I were running a company today, I would have one priority above all others: to acquire as many of the best people as I could. I'd put off everything else to fill my bus. Because things are going to come back. My flywheel is going to start to turn. And the single biggest constraint on the success of my organization is the ability to get and to hang on to enough of the right people.” [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The most critical asset is talent; prioritize hiring and retaining top people to drive long‑term success. **In simple terms:** Hire and keep the best people. Key Takeaway Invest in talent first. Themes leadership talent acquisition growth strategy Mood determined optimistic Type business leadership When to use this quote - startup hiring - scaling teams - turnaround management - product development Key Concepts human capital flywheel effect competitive advantage Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify the right talent? - What systems keep them engaged? A Different Perspective Talent alone cannot fix a flawed business model. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [The key to success in any organization is identifying, developing, and empowering the right people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/the-key-to-success-in-any-organization-is-identifying-developing-and/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [The success of an organization will depend on the people you surround yourself with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/the-success-of-an-organization-will-depend-on-the-people-you-surround/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Collaboration is a key part of the success of any organization, executed through a clearly defined vision and mission and based on transparency and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/collaboration-is-a-key-part-of-the-success-of-any-organization/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [“HR isn't merely resource management; it's the art of nurturing the seeds of success within every organization, fostering growth and prosperity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-bamania/hr-isn-t-merely-resource-management-it-s-the-art-of-nurturing-the/) [Dax Bamania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-bamania/) > [You learn every single day when you're running a company. You learn as you go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/you-learn-every-single-day-when-you-re-running-a-company-you-learn-as/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [We're running the company to serve more people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/we-re-running-the-company-to-serve-more-people/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [A lot of stuff happens daily when you're running a company like Subway. If you get too happy about some things or too unhappy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-deluca/a-lot-of-stuff-happens-daily-when-you-re-running-a-company-like/) [Fred DeLuca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-deluca/) > [I'm not real good at the administrative part of running a company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-wales/i-m-not-real-good-at-the-administrative-part-of-running-a-company/) [Jimmy Wales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-wales/) > [Almost any mistake you can make in running a company, I've probably made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/almost-any-mistake-you-can-make-in-running-a-company-i-ve-probably/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [“When founders come in to pitch our firm—one as the CEO and the other as president—the conversation often goes like this: “Who is running…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/when-founders-come-in-to-pitch-our-firm-one-as-the-ceo-and-the-other/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [I took the same pride in my dishwashing job as a child as I take in running my company today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yolanda-hadid/i-took-the-same-pride-in-my-dishwashing-job-as-a-child-as-i-take-in/) [Yolanda Hadid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yolanda-hadid/) > [The hardest thing about starting a company and running a company is, there's just so many expectations on you, and there are so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/the-hardest-thing-about-starting-a-company-and-running-a-company-is/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Now there are times when I have to make big decisions as I'm now running a company and that it's OK to go with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-platten/now-there-are-times-when-i-have-to-make-big-decisions-as-i-m-now/) [Rachel Platten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-platten/) > [Running a company is pretty demanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/running-a-company-is-pretty-demanding/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [Being an entrepreneur is not about being in love with an idea, it's about being in love with running a company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-levchin/being-an-entrepreneur-is-not-about-being-in-love-with-an-idea-it-s/) [Max Levchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-levchin/) ## 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/) [Explore all 175 James C. Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I were running a company today, I would have one priority above all others: to acquire as many of the best people as I could. 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