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Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Ten years after the worldwide bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins returns withanother groundbreaking work, this time to ask: why do some companies thrive inuncertainty, even chaos, and others do not? Based on nine years of research,buttressed by rigorous analysis and infused with engaging stories, Collins andhis colleague Morten Hansen enumerate the principles for building a truly greatenterprise in unpredictable, tumultuous and fast-moving times. This book isclassic Collins: contrarian, data-driven and uplifting.
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"Not quite as extensive as Collins' Book, "Good to Great", but great nonetheless. Interesting to find how neutral "luck" really is in explaining the success of companies in disruptive, hyper competitive industries. What made them great in three words: consistent, steady output."
— Brig (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Collins and Hansen draw some interesting and counterintuitive conclusions from their research…far from a dry work of social science. Mr. Collins has a way with words, not least with metaphor.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“A sensible, well-timed, precisely targeted message for companies shaken by macroeconomic crises.”
— Financial Times -
“[Collins’] enthusiasm is genuine—and a perfect vehicle for the riveting findings of this research. The authors compared extraordinarily successful companies to those that were mediocre or worse in the same industries, business climates, and time frames…Read with appealing verve, this is an energizing lesson for leaders in all realms of life.”
— AudioFile -
“Collins and Hansen analyze the best companies and their leaders’ actions in extreme environments and demonstrate by example that greatness is determined by the choices made, not luck…Entrepreneurs and business leaders may find the concepts in this book useful for making choices to increase their odds of building a great company.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Great by Choice Listener Reviews
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Austin Adair, 11/16/2021
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" By far my favorite of the series by Jim Collins and team. "
— Dan, 2/20/2014 -
" I am a huge admirer of Jim Collins' research, methods and tight, accessible, methodical writing. "Great By Choice," however, suggests that perhaps the scholarly architecture that made his previous work so great may be losing a bit of its strength. There's a bit of a teabag on its third cup of tea here. The core thesis seems less powerful. The evidence just as good and rich, but in the service of smaller objectives. The narrative less nuanced. Well worth reading, but not as provocative as Collins' previous work. "
— Jon, 2/13/2014 -
" Excellent book - using it for training our leadership teams. "
— BG, 2/11/2014 -
" Solid addition to Collins' first book Good to Great. "
— Ted, 2/9/2014 -
" The concepts in this book are solid. The text seemed somewhat repetitive. Not only that, but just about all of their findings about what distinguishes companies that blow away the competition even in tough times are simply rigorous application of the theory of what works. Zoom out, zoom in? Use both Sensing and Intuition. SMaC? Keeping what works is the strength of those who prefer Introversion and Sensing, and further, is often seen as "resistance" by leaders with other preferences. I've never been called into a dysfunctional team where at the heart of it, there wasn't a leader over-using a preference, or a team out of balance, or one faction or another viewing the other preference's normal behavior as somehow "wrong". Because we are so hard-wired not to see our own flaws (see Katherine Schultz's Being Wrong) we need a neutral frame like type to figure out what we aren't aware of!' "
— Jane, 1/28/2014 -
" Excellent - every executive would gain insight into essential elements of a sustained and growing business model. "
— John, 1/28/2014 -
" Easy read - but could have been a 15-20 page article rather than a 250+ book. Author reports research on "10Xers" (companies that outperformed their best-matched competitor over a prolonged period by at least 10 times) and reported the qualities that allowed the winners to accomplish this feat. "
— Roy, 1/19/2014 -
" I love the idea that hard work is behind great personal sucess rather than luck... "
— Amy, 1/13/2014 -
" Very quick read. Tons of information and it is refreshing to see a book acknowledge the presence of luck. Too often all we here is "I make my own luck." Must read for all! "
— Scott, 12/4/2013 -
" a must read if you like Jim Collins "
— Ryan, 11/24/2013 -
" Well researched. Aligns with Collins' books Good to Great and Built to Last while presenting new insight about why some companies "thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not." "
— Jay, 7/27/2013 -
" A great book I am reading with my Master Mind Group. I love the comparisons of Scott and Amundson and the South Pole. It's fascinating so far. "
— Jean, 6/1/2013 -
" I didn't really enjoy the book, though the concept of the 20 mile march can be applicable for all of us to meet personal goals. Whether your markers are financial, educational, professional or personal, set them and stay consistent regardless of the circumstances. "
— Kathie, 4/19/2013 -
" Another good book by Jim Collins. I especially enjoyed the 20 Mile March concept. Wasn't as in depth and inspiring as _Good to Great_, but the analysis and principles are valuable. "
— Chad, 9/24/2012 -
" I really like the entire series of these books. While they are not super entertaining, they actually do contain some good "meat" that you can apply to your business rather than so much of the fluff that's out there. "
— Jimmy, 9/20/2012 -
" Good book on great companies. Typical Jim Collins. Well researched, easy to read. "
— Neil, 6/21/2012 -
" Very good. Impressively researched and honest and clear in the insights offered. The messages resonate both personally and professionally. "
— Lea, 6/11/2012 -
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Bruce Coleman, 2/8/2012
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" Thought provoking a good book to read and skim for inspiration, interesting to learn about what makes the great companies truly great and what it takes to be 10xers "
— Will, 11/5/2011 -
" Felt like another way for the author to make money off of the same recipe. More of the same from him unfortunately. "
— Matt, 11/3/2011
About the Authors
Jim Collins, driven by a relentless curiosity, began his research and teaching career on the faculty at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he now conducts research and consults with executives from the corporate and social sectors. He holds degrees in business administration and mathematical sciences from Stanford University and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Colorado and the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He has served as a teacher to senior executives and CEOs at over a hundred corporations and has also worked with social sector organizations such as Johns Hopkins Medical School, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Leadership Network of Churches, the American Association of K-12 School Superintendents, and the United States Marine Corps.
Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, eleven internationally licensed editions, books from Harvard Business Review Press, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review provides professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact.