63 pages • 2 hours read
Good to Great
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
300
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2001
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Good to Great by Jim Collins examines the key factors that enable companies to transition from being good to achieving greatness, drawing insights from extensive research. The book introduces concepts such as "Level 5 Leadership," the importance of the right team, confronting brutal facts, the "Hedgehog Concept," fostering a disciplined culture, leveraging technology, and building sustained momentum.
Informative
Inspirational
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
242,616 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jim Collins' Good to Great receives praise for its in-depth research and actionable insights on business leadership and transformation. Critics highlight data-driven analysis and the Hedgehog Concept as valuable tools. However, some find the examples outdated and methodology oversimplified. Overall, it’s a recommended read for aspiring leaders.
Who Should Read Good to Great?
Readers fascinated by business success stories and leadership strategies would enjoy Good to Great by Jim Collins. Ideal for admirers of Built to Last and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book caters to entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone keen on understanding the transformation from mediocrity to excellence in companies.
242,616 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lee Iacocca
Lee Iacocca
The former CEO of Chrysler Corporation, used as an example of leadership that prioritizes personal fame, which Collins contrasts with the qualities of Level 5 leaders.
David Maxwell
David Maxwell
Former CEO of Fannie Mae, highlighted for his successful leadership under which the company significantly prospered, epitomizing the traits of a Level 5 leader.
George Rathmann
George Rathmann
Co-founder and first CEO of Amgen, noted for his leadership in creating a disciplined company culture that encouraged innovation.
Darwin E. Smith
Darwin E. Smith
CEO of Kimberly-Clark known for exceptional leadership that resulted in substantial company profit, embodying Level 5 leader characteristics of humility and resolve.
Jim Stockdale
Jim Stockdale
A Vietnam veteran and prisoner of war whose story led to the development of the "Stockdale Paradox," emphasizing the balance between faith and facing reality.
300
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2001
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.