By definition, it is not possible to everyone to be above the average.

Be rigorous about your HR decisions. There is a difference between rigorous and ruthless.

Level 5 leaders are differentiated from other levels of leaders in that they have a wonderful blend of personal humility combined with extraordinary professional will. Understand that they are very ambitious; but their ambition, first and foremost, is for the company's success. They realize that the most important step they must make to become a Level 5 leader is to subjugate their ego to the company's performance. When asked for interviews, these leaders will agree only if it's about the company and not about them.

If you have a charismatic cause you don't need to be a charismatic leader.

It is more important to know who you are than where you are going, for where you are going will change as the world around you changes.

In determing "the right people," the good-to-great companies placed greater weight on character attributes than on specific educational background, practical skills, specialized knowledge, or work experience.

The difference between a good leader and a great leader is humility.