Reading: Chapter 5: Hedgehog Concept (the Three Circles)

Assignment - Deadline: Tuesday, September 2

A. Post two paragraphs inspired by one or more of the study guide questions/thoughts for the week.

B.  Post two separate comments to one or more of your colleagues reacting to their paragraphs.   

Questions – Hedgehog Concept (the Three Circles)

• How long, on average, did it take the good-to-great companies to clarify their hedgehog concepts? What implications does this have about finding your own hedgehog concept?
• Are you engaged in work that fits your own three circles: what you are passionate about, what you are genetically encoded for, what you can get paid for? Do you need to change? Which circle is hardest to get right? Why?
• Which is more important for an organization: the goal to be the best at something, or realistic understanding of what you can (and cannot) be the best at?
• Can each sub-unit and each person have a hedgehog concept?
• How is the hedgehog concept different for a nonprofit organization?

Source: “Jim Collins – Good to Great: Discussion Guide.” http://www.jimcollins.com/tools/discussion-guide.html

Reading: Chapter 4: Confront the Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith)

Assignment - Deadline: Monday, August 25

A. Post two paragraphs inspired by one or more of the study guide questions/thoughts for the week.

B.  Post two separate comments to one or more of your colleagues reacting to their paragraphs.   

Questions – Confront the Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith)

• Which side of the Stockdale Paradox is harder for you: unwavering faith or confront the brutal facts? Why?
• Think of two environments that you have been in. The first being an environment that did not confront the brutal facts and where people (and the truth) were not heard. The second being an environment that did confront the brutal facts and where people had a tremendous opportunity to be heard. What accounts for the difference between the two environments? What does the contrast teach about how to construct an environment where the truth is heard?
• Do you have any red-flag mechanisms in your life or organization? What ideas do you have for new ones?
• In leading a team, what is your questions to statements ratio?

Source: “Jim Collins – Good to Great: Discussion Guide.” http://www.jimcollins.com/tools/discussion-guide.html