Cornerstones of Culture – Greatness
This is my sixth and final post in the cornerstones series. Probably my second most favourite book is “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, topping my favourite on the book list is Dale Carnegies timeless “Winning Friends and Influencing People.” In Good to Great Collins did a significant amount of research into what separates the Great companies from the Good companies. In the end he boiled the elements of greatness down to 5 key factors, among them was one that he called “A culture of discipline”. I am speculating that this culture of discipline he is referring to is in fact the single greatest contributor to the greatness factor. Here is how the culture of discipline is defined:
“The good-to-great companies built a consistent system with clear constraints, but they also gave people freedom and responsibilities within the framework of that system. They hired self disciplined people who didn’t need to be managed, and then managed the system, not the people.”
I think the system Collins is referring to is in fact that culture of discipline. Hire the right people, give them direction, clear objectives and create a culture of results and accomplishment and you are on your way toward greatness. In order to have a successful company you need to have a way to establish a framework for that system Collins refers to as the culture of discipline. I sincerely believe that the framework is built on the four cornerstones of:
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Mission
Vision
Values
Principles
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Entrepreneurship and starting a business is a wild roller coaster ride or one could also think of it as a journey through the wilderness. If principles are your compass in the wilderness then mission, vision and values are your survival kit, map and supplies. The journey toward greatness starts with the proper equipment and supplies.
If you are going to build a great company then having a foundation to build on right from the start is a solid idea.
Ian Graham
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