Lucky Seven · · 3 min read

James Collins and greatness

James Collins and greatness
Photo by Eric Prouzet / Unsplash
Lucky seven: Weekly letter with seven quotes and reflections from my side. Feel free to share with others if you find something inspiring!

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Hello! I want to inform you that I am changing the formula for "Lucky Seven." All seven quotes will be from the same author, and I will add notes from my side. This way, you can discover new authors and explore more of their work. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Today, let's explore some quotes shared by James C. Collins.

Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.

Alright, buckle up for a sassy analysis of this quote: "Good is the enemy of great." It's like saying settling for 'good' is as thrilling as watching paint dry. It's the ultimate showdown between mediocrity and excellence, urging us to kick complacency to the curb and aim for the stars. Then there's the jab at institutions, suggesting our schools and governments are stuck in 'good enough' mode when we deserve nothing short of excellence. It's like yelling, "Hey, wake up and smell the potential!" And let's not forget the reality check about personal ambition – too many of us are cozying up to a 'good' life when greatness is just a few bold moves away. Think of it as a gentle slap on the cheek, reminding us not to settle for the snooze fest when we could be living our best lives. So, here's to ditching the lukewarm latte and embracing the espresso shot of greatness with gusto!


Faith in the endgame helps you live through the months or years of buildup
Bad decisions made with good intentions, are still bad decisions.
A company should limit its growth based on its ability to attract enough of the right people.

These quotes are like a trio of wise mentors nudging us through life's labyrinth:

The first one's all about endurance – it's like saying, "Hey, tough times suck, but keep your eyes on the prize, and you'll power through." It's the motivational poster of the bunch. Then comes the reality check: "Good intentions don't erase bad decisions." It's like a slap on the wrist with a velvet glove, reminding us that even the noblest intentions won't save us from the consequences of our screw-ups. Oops!

Lastly, we've got some sage business advice: "Don't grow faster than you can staff." This is like telling kids not to bite off more candy than they can chew. Expanding is cool, but not if you can't handle the workload, right?


The purpose of bureaucracy is to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline.
Mediocrity results first and foremost from management failure, not technological failure.
The moment a leader allows himself to become the primary reality people worry about, rather than reality being the primary reality, you have a recipe for mediocrity, or worse. This is one of the key reasons why less charismatic leaders often produce better long-term results than their more charismatic counterparts.

Alright, buckle up for some straight-shooting wisdom:

Have you ever felt like bureaucracy is the ultimate buzzkill? According to this quote, it's there to pick up the slack for those who can't hack it alone. In other words, it's like the safety net for when incompetence and laziness rear their ugly heads. So, if you've ever cursed at red tape, now you know why it's there – to cover up the cracks in the system.

Next, we've got a truth bomb about mediocrity: it's not because the tech's failing; it's because management dropped the ball. Picture this: your project isn't going south because the latest gadget malfunctioned; someone up top didn't steer the ship right. It's like blaming the spoon for a lousy soup instead of the chef – management, take note!

Finally, a reality check for leaders: if you start thinking you're the star of the show, you're setting yourself up for a fall. It's like saying, "Hey, Mr. or Ms. Leader, get off your high horse and focus on what really matters—reality!" Charisma might get you some attention, but leaders keep their feet on the ground in the long haul and come out on top. So, please, less spotlight, more substance!


Have a great week ahead, and see you on the next occasion!

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