Nov 30, 2022 3 min read Great by Choice

Great by Choice: Summary

Everything you need to know about James C. Collins's Great by Choice, in 1 paragraph.

A reader enjoying Great by Choice by James C. Collins

Great by Choice is an exploration of the lives of successful companies, and the principles that have enabled them to achieve long-term success. It looks at both adversity and good luck, and how successful companies have managed to capitalize on these events and make them to their distinct advantage. The book also highlights the importance of discipline, focus, innovation and boldness in achieving success. In short, it provides an insightful look at what sets apart those who achieve great things from those who simply remain average.

Want to know more?

Great by Choice: Key Points

Embrace disciplined people, thought, and action: Successful companies embrace disciplined people, thought, and action. They have a bias for action and embrace experimentation while maintaining discipline in the face of chaos and ambiguity.
Engage in productive paranoia: Successful companies recognize that their industry or sector is always changing and are willing to anticipate potential disruptions and take proactive steps to protect themselves from them.
Focus on the “20 Mile March”: Companies that succeed focus on steady, incremental progress over time rather than trying to achieve sudden breakthroughs. They set a “20 Mile March” goal—a measurable performance metric they aim to achieve each year—and strive to meet it consistently.
Have a culture of “fire bullets then cannonballs”: Companies that succeed understand the importance of experimentation and trying out new ideas before committing fully to one approach or strategy. They use this “fire bullets then cannonballs” approach to test out different approaches before investing heavily in any one path.
Embrace a culture of autonomy and entrepreneurship: Successful companies create an environment where employees are empowered to take initiative and make decisions without having to constantly seek approval from higher-ups. They foster an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages creativity and innovation.

What to say about Great by Choice

Great by Choice offers a compelling framework for organizations looking to increase their long-term success.
The book has great insight into the importance of disciplined action and constant adaptation in an ever-changing business environment.
I was particularly taken by Collins' focus on building '20 Mile Marches', which emphasizes a disciplined approach to progress and performance.
Collins' theories on the impact of luck, chance and choice really resonated with me, and inspired me to think more deeply about our own organization's strategic decisions.
The concept of 'Fire Bullets Then Cannonballs' is an incredibly valuable lesson that can be applied to any organization's decision-making process.
Having read Great by Choice, I now understand the value of making calculated bets with resources, rather than wasting precious time and energy on unproductive endeavors.
I found Collins' discussion of the 'Hedgehog Concept' especially inspiring; it reminded me that simplicity and focus are key elements of successful organizations.
Great by Choice provides useful guidance on how to develop an effective culture and environment within teams, enabling them to thrive in competitive markets.
The book emphasizes the importance of learning from failure as well as success, highlighting the need for organizations to remain flexible and resilient in the face of adversity.
By drawing on his experiences with some of the world's most successful businesses, Collins offers readers invaluable lessons on how to build sustainable long-term growth strategies.

What to post on LinkedIn or Twitter about Great by Choice

I recently read Great by Choice by James C. Collins and it has given me great insight into how to make my business stand out from the competition! #GreatByChoice #JamesCCollins #BusinessSuccess
Great by Choice is an essential read for every entrepreneur! It provides a comprehensive analysis of what it takes to succeed in business. #GreatByChoice #JamesCCollins #BusinessSuccess
For those looking to gain an edge in their business career, I highly recommend reading Great by Choice by James C. Collins! It offers valuable lessons on how to thrive in today's market. #GreatByChoice #JamesCCollins #BusinessSuccess
Great by Choice dives deep into the strategies used by successful businesses to stay ahead of the competition. A must-read for any entrepreneur! #GreatByChoice #JamesCCollins #BusinessSuccess
Looking for new ways to drive your business forward? Look no further than James C. Collins' Great by Choice! A masterclass in how to lead your organization to success! #GreatByChoice #JamesCCollins #BusinessSuccess

Top 5 Quotes from Great by Choice

"Disciplined people continually work to clarify their personal guiding principles and then live by them."
"The best leaders find the balance between locking in their core ideology yet remaining open to new ideas, methods, and technologies."
"Leaders of 20 Mile Marches focus on a few key priorities and make sure that everyone in the organization knows what they are."
"Successful leaders embrace technology but never forget that it’s people who make things happen."
"The most successful organizations understand that chaos and uncertainty are constants, so they build flexibility into their plans and processes."