214 Quotes by James C. Collins

The people who don't have a great life are the ones who settle for a good one.

Not all time in life is equal. How many opportunities do you get to talk about what your life is going to add up to with people thinking about the same question?

Level 5 leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It's not that Level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious-but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.

Building a visionary company requires one percent vision and 99 percent alignment.

The drive for progress doesn't wait for the external world to say "It's time to change."

The most effective leaders of companies in transition are the quiet, unassuming people whose inner wiring is such that the worst circumstances bring out their best. They're unflappable, they're ready to die if they have to. But you can trust that, when bad things are happening, they will become clearheaded and focused.

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

I am completely Socratic.

Great vision without great people is irrelevant.