Jim Collins is a revered student and teacher of business excellence and a Socratic advisor to leaders across the business and social sectors. His work, which is the result of over a quarter-century of rigorous research, has provided the foundational language for strategic organizational thinking. He is the author or co-author of a series of international bestsellers, which collectively have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Collins's acclaimed work includes the definitive #1 bestseller Good to Great, which examines the differentiating factors for companies that make the leap from good performance to sustained greatness. This is complemented by the enduring classic Built to Last, which investigates how some companies remain visionary across generations. His monography, Good to Great and the Social Sectors, extends his research into cause-driven nonprofits and government, showcasing the universal applicability of his principles.
Driven by a relentless curiosity, Collins began his career on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, receiving a Distinguished Teaching Award. In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducts his research and directly engages with CEOs and senior-leadership teams. This unique model—combining rigorous academic methodology with practical advisory work—ensures his concepts are both valid and highly relevant. His most recent publication, BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0), is a significant upgrade to his very first book, returning his focus to the core challenges of small, entrepreneurial companies. His commitment to leadership development extends to public service; he held a two-year appointment as the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point. His presentations provide leaders with actionable blueprints for achieving Great by Choice and preventing corporate self-destruction, earning him a spot as one of Forbes' 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.
