GOOD TO GREAT Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

How does a good corporation become great? By comparing top companies like Kroger with also-ran companies like A&P, the author tracked what determined success over 20 years. The research was rigorous and covered everything ever written about the companies that might reveal which variables are important. Leadership discipline, determination, and humility, for example, helped; high executive compensation and egocentric charisma didn’t. In spite of a fast reading that makes some of the information blur, the complexity and elegance of this research make the study interesting and credible. Beyond the technical findings, the program provides the optimistic view that leaders do make a difference when they support their people and pay attention to organizational process and succession. T.W. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE/JULY 05]