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#483: Jim Collins on The Value of Small Gestures, Unseen Sources of Power, and More

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Dec 2, 2020

Guest

Jim Collins

In a captivating discussion, Jim Collins, the acclaimed author of 'Good to Great,' shares insights from his extensive research on successful companies. He emphasizes the significance of small gestures and mentorship, revealing their profound impact on personal growth. Collins explores the Stockdale Paradox, demonstrating how hope and reality coexist in adversity. The conversation also touches on the pivotal role of disciplined leadership and authentic purpose for enduring success, inspiring listeners to reflect on their own legacies and the power of collaboration.

02:46:25

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ANECDOTE

West Point's Culture of Support

Collins trained for the Indoor Obstacle Course Test (IOCT) at West Point.
He observed cadets helping each other, exemplifying a culture of support.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

The Stockdale Paradox

Jim Collins explains the Stockdale Paradox, learned from Admiral Jim Stockdale.
It emphasizes unwavering faith in the future while confronting brutal present facts.

insights

INSIGHT

The Map of Concepts

Jim Collins consolidated 30 years of research into a single map of concepts.
This "map" provides a framework for building enduring great companies.

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Innovative Fitness and Philanthropy

01:46 • 8min

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Embracing Mentorship and Meaningful Experiences

09:32 • 25min

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Reflections on Mortality and the Value of Mentorship

34:39 • 4min

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The Power of Biographies in Leadership and Growth

39:07 • 23min

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Legacy and Trust: Mentorship Lessons

01:01:43 • 31min

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Understanding the Stockdale Paradox

01:32:41 • 8min

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Navigating Creativity and Emotional Well-being

01:40:27 • 18min

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Building Enduring Companies

01:58:52 • 13min

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Building a Lasting Legacy

02:11:40 • 26min

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Reflecting on Legacy and the Joy of Collaboration

02:38:07 • 2min

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Curated Discoveries and Innovative Fitness Solutions

02:40:01 • 5min

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Maximizing Philanthropic Impact Through GiveWell

02:44:59 • 2min

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#21281

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Self-Renewal

The Individual and the Innovative Society

John Gardner

In 'Self-Renewal', John W. Gardner explores the cycle of growth, decay, and renewal in individuals and societies. He argues that dynamism and innovation are crucial for societal progress, and that individuals must continually assess and renew themselves to contribute to this process. The book highlights the need for a balance between maturation and openness to change, advocating for a society that encourages lifelong learning and innovation.

#4893

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

BE 2.0

Jim Collins

William Lazier

BE 2. 0 is an ambitious upgrade of Jim Collins and Bill Lazier's classic 'Beyond Entrepreneurship'. It includes new findings and insights, offering a roadmap for creating companies that not only survive but thrive over decades. The book focuses on building strong cultures, adapting to change, and ensuring long-term success through leadership and strategic frameworks.

#2282

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

Washington

A Life

Ron Chernow

In 'Washington: A Life', Ron Chernow provides a richly detailed and engaging portrait of George Washington. The book covers his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits during the Revolutionary War, his role in the Constitutional Convention, and his significant contributions as the first president of the United States. Chernow challenges the stereotype of Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure, instead revealing a man of fiery opinions, many moods, and a fiercely guarded emotional life. The biography delves into Washington's personal relationships, his complex feelings about slavery, and his meticulous management of Mount Vernon. It also highlights his political genius and his role in shaping the new federal government and the office of the presidency.

#15

• Mentioned in 397 episodes

The 4 Hour Workweek

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Workweek', Timothy Ferriss presents a step-by-step guide to 'lifestyle design', encouraging readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth. The book teaches how to outsource life tasks, automate income, and eliminate unnecessary work using principles like the 80/20 rule and Parkinson’s Law. Ferriss shares his personal journey from a corporate workaholic to a location-independent entrepreneur and provides practical tips and case studies to help readers achieve similar results. The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-value activities, taking 'mini-retirements', and living life to the fullest in the present rather than deferring enjoyment until retirement.

#1158

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

Great by choice

Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All

Morten Hansen

Jim Collins

This book explores why some companies succeed in highly uncertain and chaotic environments while others do not. Collins and Hansen conducted extensive research, studying companies that beat their industry indexes by at least ten times over fifteen years in turbulent conditions. They debunk several myths about successful leadership in turbulent times, highlighting key principles such as fanatic discipline, empirical creativity, and productive paranoia. The authors also examine the role of luck and how successful companies leverage it to their advantage. The book provides practical insights and strategies for building a great enterprise in unpredictable environments.

#3364

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

In Love and War

The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During the Vietnam Years

Sybil Stockdale

James Stockdale

In Love and War is a compelling memoir co-authored by James B. Stockdale and his wife Sybil. The book recounts James' harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and Sybil's courageous efforts to raise awareness about the plight of American POWs. The narrative alternates between James' time in captivity and Sybil's battles with bureaucracy and her role in founding the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.

#835

• Mentioned in 40 episodes

Let my people go surfing

The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

Yvon Chouinard

This book tells the story of Yvon Chouinard, who brought doing good and having grand adventures into the heart of his business life. It details his journey from his youth as the son of a French Canadian handyman to his ambitious climbing expeditions that inspired his innovative designs for climbing equipment. The book also explores how Chouinard built Patagonia into one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, personal growth, and unconventional business practices.

#159

• Mentioned in 125 episodes

The Power Broker

Robert Moses and the Fall of New York

Robert Caro

This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics.

#466

• Mentioned in 60 episodes

Built to Last

Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

Jerry I. Porras

James C. Collins

Jim Collins

Jim Collins and Jerry Porras's "Built to Last" examines the characteristics of visionary companies, those that have sustained exceptional performance over long periods. The authors identify key principles that contribute to long-term success, including a strong core ideology, a focus on innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They analyze a range of companies across various industries, identifying common patterns and best practices. The book provides valuable insights for leaders seeking to build enduring and successful organizations. "Built to Last" has become a classic in the field of business strategy.

#10874

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Goodbye Darkness

William Manchester

Goodbye, Darkness is a powerful and emotional memoir that delves into William Manchester's experiences during World War II. The book explores his journey back to the Pacific battlegrounds decades later, grappling with the horrors of war and the concept of survivor's guilt. Manchester's vivid descriptions of combat and his reflections on the meaning of war make this a gripping and haunting read.

#1266

• Mentioned in 29 episodes

How the Mighty Fall

Jim Collins

In 'How the Mighty Fall', Jim Collins explores the reasons behind the decline of once-great companies. Through a four-year research project, Collins identifies five stages of decline: Stage 1: Hubris Born of Success, Stage 2: Undisciplined Pursuit of More, Stage 3: Denial of Risk and Peril, Stage 4: Grasping for Salvation, and Stage 5: Capitulation to Irrelevance or Death. The book offers leaders practical advice on how to detect early signs of decline and reverse their course to avoid failure. Collins emphasizes that decline is often self-inflicted and that understanding these stages can help companies avoid or recover from decline.

#10632

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Good to Great and the Social Sectors

Jim Collins

#19

• Mentioned in 359 episodes

Good to Great

Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

Jim Collins

In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.

Jim Collins (jimcollins.com) is a student and teacher of what makes great companies tick and a Socratic advisor to leaders in the business and social sectors. Having invested more than a quarter-century in rigorous research, he has authored or co-authored six books that have sold in total more than 10 million copies worldwide. They include Good to Great, the #1 bestseller that examines why some companies make the leap to superior results, and its companion work Good to Great and the Social Sectors; the enduring classic Built to Last, which explores how some leaders build companies that remain visionary for generations; How the Mighty Fall, which delves into how once-great companies can self-destruct; and Great by Choice, which is about thriving in chaos—why some do and others don’t.

And now he’s updating his debut book, Beyond Entrepreneurship, for the 21st century. Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company is now available.

Please enjoy this round two with Jim Collins! (And if you haven’t already, make sure to check out round one here.)

This episode is also brought to you by GiveWell.org! For over ten years GiveWell.org has helped donors find the charities and projects that save and improve lives most per dollar. Here’s how: GiveWell dedicates over twenty thousand hours a year to researching charitable organizations and hand-picks a few of the highest-impact, evidence-backed charities. Since 2010, GiveWell has helped over 50,000 donors direct over 500 million dollars to the most effective charities. Most importantly, these donations will save over 75,000 lives and improve the lives of millions more.

This year, support the charities that save and improve lives most, with GiveWell. Any of my listeners who become new GiveWell donors will have their first donation matched up to $250 when you go to GiveWell dot org/Tim and select “PODCAST” and “Tim Ferriss” at checkout.

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