Good to Great by Jim Collins is by far the best business-oriented book that I've ever read. I can see why it has gained the notoriety and respect from top level executives around the world. I have read other business type books which were more of a motivational lecture than actual years of research going into the making of one text. Before reading this book, my preconceived notion was that I would be lost in trying to understand executive jargon. That was not the case at all. Jim Collins did a great job of portraying his ideas and findings in an easy to understand manner that anyone can comprehend. Also, the graphs and illustrations were a useful tool in grasping the ideas he was trying to get across. After reading the book, I was impressed to learn of the concepts and characteristics that may aid me in the pursuit of personal greatness.
             Overall, there were many ideas in the book that I found interesting and educational. But, the insights that I feel have made the biggest impression are those which I will be discussing. The three insights I will be focusing on are the Level 5 leadership, getting the right people on the bus (First Who...Then What), and the Hedgehog Concept.
             The first concept is the idea of a Level 5 leader. Most people think of high level executives as tyrannical, selfish, workaholics who are only worried about making a profit. That rationale may be due to Hollywood in the depiction of CEOs or the fact that a lot of unethical CEOs have been in the media in the last few years. It was interesting to learn that during the research of this project, Collins and his team were not in search of a Level 5 leader rather, due to the data collected, it was found. Level 5 leaders as stated in the book "were all cut from the same cloth". They possess different personality traits that separate them from the rest of other CEOs. A Level 5 leader is" an individual who blends extreme humility with intense prof...