Good to Great

Based on the novel ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins, has taught me many important concepts and perspectives on how to view leadership. First the main focus is what he calls Level 5 Leadership. Level 5 leaders embody a paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will. They set their success for even greater success for the following generations while displaying modesty, determination and drive, larger than life personality, and accountability.

One take away changed the way I look at hiring employees, were due to this book. He mentions 3 practical disciplines for being rigorous in peoples decisions.

1. When in doubt, don't hire- keep looking.

2. When you know you need to make a people change, act.

3. Put your best people on your biggest opportunities, not your biggest problems.

These 3 disciplines shaped my way of thinking. Saying it is ok to not hire someone if they do not fit the culture of the company, it is ok to wait. Mentioning that there needs to be a change in how the company runs or in a specific individual is not going anywhere, acting on those thoughts is what is required. I am the type of person back in the day to where I saw an opportunity for change and never acted upon it and kept seeing the same problems arise. Over time I have been able to view a problem at a new perspective and handle and solve the problem or issue in the correct way and in a way that is not looked upon often. This comes down to the message that having the right people on the 'bus' is what is most important and the key to a successful company.

I have to say the most interesting concept that was new was the Hedgehog Concept. It is not a goal, strategy, or intention; its is an understanding. It has 3 sectors which include What you are deeply passionate about, what drives your economic engine, and what you can be the best in the world at. This includes looking at a specific denominator that can be subtle, and sometimes even un-obvious. When it comes to being the best in the world, says it is not a goal to be the best, a strategy to be the best, an intention to be the best, a plan to be the best. It is an understanding of what you can be the best at. This was a new way to look at leadership in my eyes. Determining the difference between what you can be the best at and what action or item can help you become the best in the world is very important and new to me. As mentioned in the book, the greatest struggle to this concept is actually understanding the meaning behind it.

Overall, the reading is really opening my eyes to new perspectives of leadership that either was not taught to me or even thought of. Some of the material mentioned was a good refresher, for example how to choose the right people for your team. Level 5 leaders are possible but hard to obtain. But what I will strive to accomplish when I gain a leadership position are the qualities possessed by the Level 5 leader. It's the combination of both the traits and behaviors that are possessed by the leader are what makes them successful. From past experiences, I have noticed I do not have a lot of self- confidence when making certain decisions. This is one aspect of my personality that I am continually trying to improve on, to help me be that Level 5 leader that employees can look up to.

I have really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to see what other concepts I can learn.