In 'Great by Choice', Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen explore what separates the truly exceptional companies from the mediocre ones amidst chaos and uncertainty. Through rigorous research and compelling case studies, they unveil the principles of success that allow some organizations to thrive in volatile environments. Readers will discover the importance of discipline, creativity, and a unique approach to risk-taking that defines high-performing enterprises. This book challenges conventional wisdom and offers a roadmap for leaders looking to achieve greatness against all odds. Prepare to be inspired as you uncover the secrets to enduring success!
By Jim Collins, Morten T. Hansen
Published: 2011
"The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change; the signature of mediocrity is inconsistency."
The new question Ten years after the worldwide bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins returns with another groundbreaking work, this time to ask: Why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not? Based on nine years of research, buttressed by rigorous analysis and infused with engaging stories, Collins and his colleague, Morten Hansen, enumerate the principles for building a truly great enterprise in unpredictable, tumultuous, and fast-moving times. The new study Great by Choice distinguishes itself from Collins’s prior work by its focus not just on performance, but also on the type of unstable environments faced by leaders today. With a team of more than twenty researchers, Collins and Hansen studied companies that rose to greatness—beating their industry indexes by a minimum of ten times over fifteen years—in environments characterized by big forces and rapid shifts that leaders could not predict or control. The research team then contrasted these “10X companies” to a carefully selected set of comparison companies that failed to achieve greatness in similarly extreme environments. The new findings The study results were full of provocative surprises. Such as: The best leaders were not more risk taking, more visionary, and more creative than the comparisons; they were more disciplined, more empirical, and more paranoid. Innovation by itself turns out not to be the trump card in a chaotic and uncertain world; more important is the ability to scale innovation, to blend creativity with discipline. Following the belief that leading in a “fast world” always requires “fast decisions” and “fast action” is a good way to get killed. The great companies changed less in reaction to a radically changing world than the comparison companies. The authors challenge conventional wisdom with thought-provoking, sticky, and supremely practical concepts. They include: 10Xers; the 20 Mile March; Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs; Leading above the Death Line; Zoom Out, Then Zoom In; and the SMaC Recipe. Finally, in the last chapter, Collins and Hansen present their most provocative and original analysis: defining, quantifying, and studying the role of luck. The great companies and the leaders who built them were not luckier than the comparisons, but they did get a higher Return on Luck. This book is classic Collins: contrarian, data-driven, and uplifting. He and Hansen show convincingly that, even in a chaotic and uncertain world, greatness happens by choice, not chance.
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“The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change; the signature of mediocrity is inconsistency.”
Great by Choice
By Jim Collins, Morten T. Hansen
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Jim Collins is an acclaimed author, lecturer, and business consultant known for his insights on company sustainability and growth. He gained widespread recognition with his bestselling books, including "Good to Great" and "Built to Last," which explore the principles that drive organizations to achieve lasting success. Collins combines rigorous research with engaging storytelling, making complex business concepts accessible to a broad audience. He is also the co-founder of a management research laboratory, where he helps leaders apply his findings to real-world challenges. Through his work, Collins continues to inspire and educate leaders across industries, emphasizing the importance of vision, discipline, and innovation.
Morten T. Hansen is a renowned author and management thinker, best known for his insightful works on leadership and collaboration in the workplace. His notable books include "Collaboration: How Leaders Avoid the Traps, Build Common Ground, and Reap Results" and "Great at Work: How Top Performers Work Less and Achieve More." Hansen's writing style is characterized by a blend of rigorous research and practical advice, making complex management concepts accessible to a broad audience. He draws on extensive academic and corporate experience, offering readers actionable strategies for enhancing productivity and teamwork.
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