Great by Choice

“We are free to choose, free to become great by choice.”

Great By Choice The pure title of this book by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen makes me excited about its content and indeed the book talks a lot about how greatness is a choice. Analyzing and studying many successful companies in our time, the authors develop ideas on why great companies “thrive in uncertainty and others do not.” The book also uses other interesting real life stories and adventures in history to make their points stick. Though there are different specific strategies and ideas about what these companies and individuals did to stand out, I have a short list of the characteristics recited over and over again in the text demonstrated by those who choose to be great.

Discipline

“True discipline requires mental independence, and an ability to remain consistent in the face of herd instinct and social pressures.”

First, the successful companies and individuals in the book were wildly disciplined. Each of them demonstrated a tenacity to stick with what they knew or believed to be the right course despite hardships, challenges, prosperity, trends, or outside warnings. They had a plan, a value system, a method, a way to prepare, and they stuck with it no matter the changing circumstances. They stayed true to what they were as a company rather than conform, even amongst immense pressure to do so. This level of resolve made them unique from their peers and eventually much more successful. True and complete discipline toward the right things will create success in our own lives and will lead to consistency which is the next trait.

Consistent

“The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.”

Second, they were consistent. Never wavering, never jumping from one trend to another, never formulating new values, never changing their actions, these successful companies and individuals were very consistent and methodical in their approach. Day in and day out they held to what they knew would work. Their long-term objectives never wavered or moved from one thing to another. Their methods stayed the same, their daily activities stayed the same, their beliefs stayed the same, their messages to their team stayed the same. In a world that is extremely inconsistent and volatile, consistency brought these successful companies and individuals strength day in and day out.

Ownership

“Reject the idea that forces outside your control or chance events will determine your results. Accept full responsibility for your own fate.”

Finally, the successful companies and individuals in this book took full ownership for their results. No matter their luck, whether good or bad, they determined their results were up to them. Although they could not control the future, they believed they could create it. They utterly rejected that something outside of themselves would determine whether they succeeded or failed. Taking ownership for their results in life led them to success.

Great by Choice is a great read and learning to practice the characteristics exhibited and reiterated over and over again in the book by those who chose to be great including discipline, consistency, and ownership will lead us to great outcomes in life.