A great read! Here are some excerpts that I wanted to share with you.
Chapter 4: Confront the Brutal Truth, Yet Never Lose Faith.
– Good to great companies confront of the truth, face reality, and make hard decisions in order to survive and keep moving forward.
– Good to great companies succeed by asking questions, and not just by making pronouncements.
– Good to great companies foster an environment of truth, which will help them to deal with the realities surrounding them, and continue to grow from the lessons.
Chapter 5: “The Hedgehog Concept”, simplicity within the three circles.
– Good to great companies are like hedgehogs, when confronted by the fox. The hedgehog will curl up and protect itself, and basically do one thing well, while the fox tries many different strategies in order to exploit the hedgehog.
– Hedgehogs tend to keep things simple, and do the one thing well very well. Good to great companies need to adapt some of those tendencies, and stick to what they do best.
– Knowing that a company cannot be the best, is just as important as knowing that the company can be the best. Stay focused on what you do the best.
Chapter 6: A Culture of Discipline
– Good to great companies create a culture in which there is a great sense of responsibility, and freedom of creativity, the focus is true to doing what is best for the company.
Chapter 7: Technology
Chapter 8: “The Fly Wheel” and “The Doom Wheel”
– The transformation from good to great doesn’t happen overnight. But, like a fly will, once you begin the momentum in the direction you want to go, it becomes easier and easier. Of course, if you
begin the momentum in the wrong direction, it becomes easier and easier to stay in that direction as well. Make sure you know the direction you’re heading is the correct direction.
– If you can spin the wheel in the right direction, you will achieve breakthrough.
Chapter 8: From Good to Great and Built to Last.
– Once a company has achieved greatness, what does it take to help it sustain that level?
I thought this book was right on point with a great recap of Jim Collin’s groundbreaking Good to Great best seller! As a small business owner myself, I realize the importance of creating an environment in which your team can prosper, and be successful. It’s all about win-win. And great leadership!
Looks like “Good to Great” constantly reinforces the work that needs to be done on both the leader and on the team as well.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
