Leadership

Description

• Providing a short introduction stating your position and argument
• Supporting your argument (intext citing shows this)
• When all is done, give a brief conclusion
• a reference at the end

In this chapter, Collins begins the process of identifying and further developing from the research those unique factors and variables that differentiated the good and great companies. One of the most significant differences, he asserts, is the quality and nature of leadership in the firm. Collins initially told the research team to downplay the role of top executives in the good-to-great process. It became obvious that there was something different that these leaders did. Collins went on to identify “Level 5 Leadership” as a common characteristic of the great companies assessed in the study. By further studying the behaviors and attitudes of so-called Level 5 leaders, Collins found that many of those classified in the this group displayed an unusual mix of intense determination and profound humility. Characteristics used to describe these leaders included words like quiet, humble, modest, gracious, and understated. Yet there was also the stoic resolve and an unwavering determination evident. They were low-key executives, rarely appearing in the media, who demonstrated a relentless drive for results. These leaders often had a long-term personal sense of investment in the company and its success, often cultivated through a career-spanning climb up the company’s ranks. The personal ego and individual financial gain were not as important as the long-term benefit of the team and the company. As such, Collins warned of the liability involved in the employing a bigger-than-life charismatic leader–personalities often brought in from outside the company or organization by a board seeking a high profile figure. The data suggested that a celebrity CEO brought in to turn around a flailing firm was usually not conducive to fostering the transition from Good to Great (Collins, 2001).

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