--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a good-to-great transformation, people…" description: "\"“In a good-to-great transformation, people are not your most important asset. The right people are.”\" — James C. Collins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/james-c-collins-2276_change_in-a-good-to-great-transformation-people_373404.png" --- # In a good-to-great transformation, people are not your… ![“In a good-to-great transformation, people are not your most important asset. The right people are.” quote by James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/james-c-collins-2276_change_in-a-good-to-great-transformation-people_373404.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/james-c-collins-2276_change_in-a-good-to-great-transformation-people_373404.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/james-c-collins-2276_change_in-a-good-to-great-transformation-people_373404.png) > ““In a good-to-great transformation, people are not your most important asset. The right people are.”” [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. Effective transformation depends on having the right people, not just many people. **In simple terms:** Right people matter more than quantity. Key Takeaway Hire and retain talent that fits the vision. Themes leadership team building strategy Mood determined focused Type business leadership When to use this quote - startup scaling - corporate restructuring - project teams - nonprofit leadership Key Concepts Human capital fit culture Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify the right people for your mission? - What processes ensure they stay aligned? A Different Perspective Even the best people can’t succeed without clear direction and resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Transformation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transformation/) ## Related quotes > [We are at the precipice of great transformation within our culture and government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/we-are-at-the-precipice-of-great-transformation-within-our-culture/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [Dance as if this is the last dance. Dance with abandon, holding nothing back. That will bring transformation to your being, and a possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/dance-as-if-this-is-the-last-dance-dance-with-abandon-holding-nothing/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Any company faces big challenges during transformation. People are accustomed to going ahead on the existing track. Even when they know there are problems,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-ning/any-company-faces-big-challenges-during-transformation-people-are/) [Li Ning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-ning/) > [“Death is a great transformation. But it is not an end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambelin-kwaymullina/death-is-a-great-transformation-but-it-is-not-an-end/) [Ambelin Kwaymullina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambelin-kwaymullina/) > [We are witnessing an enormous shift of collective consciousness throughout the world. We are at the precipice of great transformation within our culture and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/we-are-witnessing-an-enormous-shift-of-collective-consciousness/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [At AT&T, I learned an awful lot about people, and how important it is to have the right people in the right jobs. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-whitacre-jr/at-at-t-i-learned-an-awful-lot-about-people-and-how-important-it-is/) [Edward Whitacre, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-whitacre-jr/) > [This is a good life lesson: getting the right people into your system is the most important thing you can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/this-is-a-good-life-lesson-getting-the-right-people-into-your-system/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [People are not your most important asset…the right people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/people-are-not-your-most-important-asset-the-right-people-are/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“No company can grow revenues consistently faster than its ability to get enough of the right people to implement that growth and still become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/no-company-can-grow-revenues-consistently-faster-than-its-ability-to/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“If we get the right people on the bus, the right people in the right seats, and the wrong people off the bus, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-we-get-the-right-people-on-the-bus-the-right-people-in-the-right/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/get-the-right-people-on-the-bus-the-wrong-people-off-the-bus-and-the/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [The main point is first get the right people on the bus (and wrong people off the bus) before you figure out where to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-main-point-is-first-get-the-right-people-on-the-bus-and-wrong/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“Second, if you have the right people on the bus, the problem of how to motivate and manage people largely goes away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/second-if-you-have-the-right-people-on-the-bus-the-problem-of-how-to/) [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/) > [“Indeed, the big point of this chapter is not about technology per se. No technology, no matter how amazing—not computers, not telecommunications, not robotics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/indeed-the-big-point-of-this-chapter-is-not-about-technology-per-se/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) ## 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 Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In a good-to-great transformation, people are not your most important asset. 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