Catalyst | Jim Collins | Great By Choice

If circumstances are constant, and some become great while some do not, then it’s not about the circumstances.

It’s a matter of choice.

Why do some thrive in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, while some do not?

This is a question worth wrestling with… says Collins, as “uncertainty” and “chaos” will likely be descriptors of our culture for the rest of our life.

Great is a choice.

Collins, after 9 years of research, has identified three important behaviors of leaders who choose to be great:

1. Fanatical discipline — these leaders identify what Collins refers to as a “20 mile march.” No matter what happens they stay the course. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are. What does this look like in our ministry context? The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency
2. Empirical creativity — these leaders do their “homework.” The majority of them are not pioneers… but they learn from those who are. And then they innovate. They don’t look to other’s practices and replicate; but look to the data for understanding and then become creative. It’s ok to say “I don’t know,” and learn from those who do. This is how true innovation happens.
3. Productive paranoia — these leaders are you have to be prepared for what you cannot predict.

Those sound like some pretty intense choices!

Even one of them sounds like a significant commitment.

And I guess that’s the point… isn’t it.