Good To Great

Good to Great

There is a difference between a good company and a great company. There is a difference between long-term mediocrity and long-term superiority. The reason why most companies never become great is because they limit themselves to just being good. Good is the enemy of great. There are certain criteria that great companies share that helped them make the rare transition from solid to outstanding performance. All great companies will always have the right group of people to get the job done, a clear sense of thought as to what is expected and what goals are attainable, and the right process scheme as to how their objectives will be met and fulfilled.

Great companies first focus on choosing people who will benefit the company in the short run and in the long run. They focus on getting the right people on the team while getting the wrong people off before setting up the platform as to where the company will move towards. The right people are those who don't need to be tightly managed or persuaded in order for them to perform at the best of their abilities. They are self-motivated and willing to give their best work to create or be part of something important. When choosing the right person, great companies look not only for specific knowledge and skill, but also evaluate the innate capabilities, values, and traits of the person. Choosing the right people is also applicable at the higher level positions of a great company. The leaders of these great companies are not focused on the celebrity aspect of their position, but rather are incredibly humble and totally dedicated to developing excellence in their organization. They credit success to factors other than themselves and take the blame when things go wrong. Great leaders also have a unique way to deal with their employees. They create a legitimate and personal relationship with their employees that results in employee awareness of when they are being an asset to the company or when they are not performing to standards. Leaders must not hesitate to deal with low performers and take whatever means necessary to ensure that only high performing people are involved in reaching the goals of the company. In essence, a leader's way of promoting hard work, communicating high expectations, and serving as a source of drive and inspiration contributes to the overall success of any great company.

Companies that are in the process of going from good to great must first confront the brutal facts of their current situation.