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

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Dec 2, 2020

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.

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ANECDOTE

Learning from Ed Zschau

Tim Ferriss asks Jim Collins about his relationship with Ed Zschau and what he learned from him.
Collins describes Zschau as a polymath and inspiring teacher who encouraged him to forge his own path.

INSIGHT

Zschau's Continued Youth

Jim Collins discusses Ed Zschau's continued intellectual vitality in later life.
He attributes it to Zschau's constant exposure to new ideas, technologies, and young, energetic people.

INSIGHT

Accelerating After 60

Tim Ferriss asks how Ed Zschau accelerates after 60.
Collins emphasizes the importance of mindset and proactively engaging with new experiences and people.

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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.

Good to Great and the Social Sectors

Jim Collins

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.

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.

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.

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[2][4][5].

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.

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.

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.

The 4 Hour Workweek

Timothy 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.

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[2][3][4].

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.

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.