Good-to-great companies set their goals and strategies based on understanding; comparison companies set their goals and strategies based on bravado.

A visionary company doesn't simply balance between idealism and profitability: it seeks to be highly idealistic and highly profitable.

Most people will look back and realize they did not have a great life because it's just so easy to settle for a good life.

Get keep right people.

Level 5 leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It's not that Level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious-but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.

Dreams make you click, juice you, turn you on, excite the living daylights out of you. You cannot wait to get out of bed to continue pursuing your dream. The kind of dream I'm talking about gives meaning to your life. it is the ultimate motivator.

An organization is not truly great, if it cannot be great without you.