Good to Great by Jim Collins

Yorkshire Powerhouse Score 9/10

This book is unique in that it is both a readable business book and based on in depth and extensive research. As close as you come to a must read in the business world.

Who will gain the most from reading this book?

Anyone on the business leadership career path, it really doesn’t matter what size your business is, the lessons and learning can be translated to any context.

Good to Great – Core Content

The book is based on extensive research and an evaluation of what has worked for companies, the research investigates companies who have moved on from competent and made the leap to exceptional and sustained performance. It contrasts these companies with those who have not moved on but have either slipped or remained constant. The lessons and recommendations are drawn from the differences between these companies.

The selection criteria for the finally selected 11 companies was strict and the author does not withhold any information on the selection process either. The end of the book lists its selection criteria, complete with a comprehensive FAQ section.

All Good to Great (“GTG”) companies had a Level 5 leader, Level 5 being designated as the top category of performance amongst executives. These leaders consistently exhibit humility, modesty and an ability to reign in their ego, in fact it could be said they lead from behind daily but from the front on long term strategy.

• Many companies are drawn towards outgoing egocentric leaders and this is often the wrong choice.
• Level 5 leaders are more interested in something larger and more lasting than their own career.
• Good to Great leaders concentrate on recruiting the right people before deciding on strategy.
• Don’t compromise when recruiting. If you’re not confident then keep looking.
• When someone needs to leave the company act quickly to ask them to move on.

The analogies used could fall into the ‘marmite’ category about acceptability but I love the Hedgehog concept, the idea the truly great companies and teams always do the same thing instinctively when faced with a given set of circumstances. They don’t spend ages evaluating, the correct action is in their DNA and that consistency brings results.

Could a Yorkshire perspective improve this book?

Curious, the underlying traits that define a Yorkshire born individual are not far from those traits that define effective leadership.

Review Takeaway:

Cause and team before individual ego wins the day and yet reflecting generally we live in an age of celebrity and self-promotion.

If you would like to purchase this book from Amazon, please find the following link: Good to Great by Jim Collins

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