--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be rigorous means consistently…" description: "\"“To be rigorous means consistently applying exacting standards at all times and at all levels, especially in upper management. To be rigorous, not ruth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/deb/james-c-collins-2276_management_to-be-rigorous-means-consistently-applyi_2768991.png" --- # To be rigorous means consistently applying exacting… ![“To be rigorous means consistently applying exacting standards at all times and at all levels, especially in upper management. To be rigorous, not ruthless, means that the best people need not worry about their positions and can concentrate fully on their work.” quote by James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/deb/james-c-collins-2276_management_to-be-rigorous-means-consistently-applyi_2768991.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/deb/james-c-collins-2276_management_to-be-rigorous-means-consistently-applyi_2768991.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/deb/james-c-collins-2276_management_to-be-rigorous-means-consistently-applyi_2768991.png) > ““To be rigorous means consistently applying exacting standards at all times and at all levels, especially in upper management. To be rigorous, not ruthless, means that the best people need not worry about their positions and can concentrate fully on their work.”” [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. Rigorous standards applied consistently foster excellence without harshness, allowing top talent to focus on work rather than fear of position. **In simple terms:** Consistent standards enable excellence without cruelty. Key Takeaway Apply fair, high standards. Themes leadership excellence fairness Mood analytical motivational Type business inspirational When to use this quote - corporate governance - team building - performance reviews - training programs Key Concepts management psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can rigor be balanced with compassion? - What systems ensure fairness? A Different Perspective Rigorous standards may be perceived as inflexible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exacting Standards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exacting-standards-3200231/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Management Rigorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management-rigorous-3227086/) [Rigorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigorous/) [Rigorous Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigorous-means-3227085/) [Rigorous Ruthless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigorous-ruthless-1271886/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Be rigorous about your HR decisions. There is a difference between rigorous and ruthless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/be-rigorous-about-your-hr-decisions-there-is-a-difference-between/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [I know I have exacting standards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-knight/i-know-i-have-exacting-standards/) [Travis Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-knight/) > [“Visionary companies are so clear about what they stand for and what they’re trying to achieve that they simply don’t have room for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-collins/visionary-companies-are-so-clear-about-what-they-stand-for-and-what/) [Jim Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-collins/) > [I engage in the use of game theory. Game theory is a branch of mathematics, and that means, sorry, that even in the study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-bueno-de-mesquita/i-engage-in-the-use-of-game-theory-game-theory-is-a-branch-of/) [Bruce Bueno de Mesquita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-bueno-de-mesquita/) > [Is it possible that even happy moments of pleasure never stand up to a rigorous examination? Possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-ferrante/is-it-possible-that-even-happy-moments-of-pleasure-never-stand-up-to/) [Elena Ferrante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elena-ferrante/) > [When you tell people you're in history, they give you this pained expression because that was the course they hated in high school. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-darnton/when-you-tell-people-you-re-in-history-they-give-you-this-pained/) [Robert Darnton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-darnton/) > [At the time, my personal research objectives were to provide Keynesian economics with more rigorous foundations and to tighten and elaborate the logic of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tobin/at-the-time-my-personal-research-objectives-were-to-provide-keynesian/) [James Tobin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tobin/) > [We will also have a more rigorous approach to professional development and managing unsatisfactory performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-weatherill/we-will-also-have-a-more-rigorous-approach-to-professional/) [Jay Weatherill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-weatherill/) > [When I released my first record, I was really in the middle of having made the decision to follow the clinical psychology path, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autre-ne-veut/when-i-released-my-first-record-i-was-really-in-the-middle-of-having/) [Autre Ne Veut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autre-ne-veut/) > [“The most rigorous reading is to find what those words on that page mean in our own lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylene-beers/the-most-rigorous-reading-is-to-find-what-those-words-on-that-page/) [Kylene Beers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylene-beers/) > [Yes, it will go through the disciplines that all puppies go through including house training and puppy walking, then at twelve month old it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/yes-it-will-go-through-the-disciplines-that-all-puppies-go-through/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [“The surgical resident interested in learning trauma will bypass a residency at a quiet community hospital for a residency at a fast-paced Level 1…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-deegan/the-surgical-resident-interested-in-learning-trauma-will-bypass-a/) [Marian Deegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-deegan/) > [He cannot be vertuous that is not rigorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/he-cannot-be-vertuous-that-is-not-rigorous/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [I am very rigorous with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brunello-cucinelli/i-am-very-rigorous-with-myself/) [Brunello Cucinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brunello-cucinelli/) > [Mathematics is of two kinds, Rigorous and Physical. The former is Narrow: the latter Bold and Broad. To have to stop to formulate rigorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-heaviside/mathematics-is-of-two-kinds-rigorous-and-physical-the-former-is/) [Oliver Heaviside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-heaviside/) ## 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 Management quotes > [“Only careful political manoeuvring will be able to manage the situation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davan-yahya-khalil/only-careful-political-manoeuvring-will-be-able-to-manage-the/) [Davan Yahya Khalil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davan-yahya-khalil/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cooney/the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-my-managers-wanted-a-big/) [Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cooney/) > [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/) [Thomas Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-miller/) > [There are things you can do in training like learn from the manager and talk with team-mates, but it's the game that tests you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-burke/there-are-things-you-can-do-in-training-like-learn-from-the-manager/) [Oliver Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-burke/) > [Corporations invest in sophisticated CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, programs to effectively oversee their relationship with their customers at every point during the buying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-ostrofsky/corporations-invest-in-sophisticated-crm-or-customer-relationship/) [Marc Ostrofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-ostrofsky/) > [“I had come to Boyne City because I have always been drawn to nature's secrets more than to, say Hollywood's secrets or the secrets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langdon-cook/i-had-come-to-boyne-city-because-i-have-always-been-drawn-to-nature-s/) [Langdon Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langdon-cook/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/if-you-want-to-serve-in-a-trump-administration-you-re-going-to-serve/) [Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/) > [Football is a team sport. I'm proud of what I achieved in my career, but I also know that I wouldn't have achieved any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schmeichel/football-is-a-team-sport-i-m-proud-of-what-i-achieved-in-my-career/) [Peter Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schmeichel/) > [If I told my wife I was going to become a manager she'd say 'sign this then. Don't worry it's only a divorce. 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