James C. Collins Quotes about Greatness

Resilency, not perfection, is the signature of greatness.

Resilency, not perfection, is the signature of greatness.

Greatness, Perfection, Signatures

The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconstancy. The signature of greatness is a disciplined and consistent focus on the right things.

James C. Collins

Greatness, Focus, Signatures

A culture of discipline is not a principle of business, it is a principle of greatness.

James C. Collins

Greatness, Discipline, Principles

"Good To Great And The Social Sectors". Book by James C. Collins, 2005.

Focusing solely on what you can potentially do better than any other organization is the only path to greatness.

James C. Collins

Greatness, Organization, Path

...the question, Why try for greatness? would seem almost tautological. If you're doing something you care that much about, and you believe in its purpose deeply enough, then it is impossible to imagine not trying to make it great. It's just a given.

James C. Collins

Business, Believe, Greatness

We learned that a former prisoner of war had more to teach us about what it takes to find a path to greatness than most books on corporate strategy.

James C. Collins

War, Book, Greatness

We must reject the idea... Well-intentioned, but dead wrong... That the primary path to greatness in the social sectors is to become "more like a business." Most businesses... Like most of anything else in life... Fall somewhere between mediocre and good.

James C. Collins

Business, Fall, Greatness

"Good to Great and the Social Sectors". Book by James C. Collins, 2005.

If we only have great companies, we will merely have a prosperous society, not a great one. Economic growth and power are the means, not the definition, of a great nation.

James C. Collins

Mean, Power, Greatness

Indeed, the real question is not, "Why greatness?" but "What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness?" if you have to ask the question, "Why should we try to make it great? Isn't success enough?" then you're probably int he wrong line of work.

James C. Collins

Business, Real, Greatness

If we allow the celebrity rock-star model of leadership to triumph, we will see the decline of corporations and institutions of all types. The twentieth century was a century of greatness, but we face the very real prospect that the next century will see very few enduring great institutions.

James C. Collins

Stars, Real, Greatness