For those of you who have worked with me know I am a fan of Jim Collin's book Good to Great. Part of the reason I like the book is that it's based on hard fact, scientific discipline rather than opinions. I was interested in his response when several of the companies mentioned in Good to Great either folded or are barely holding on. He  responded with How The Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In. I just started, but he mentions some points worth your knowing about stages of decline:

1. Hubris Born of Success. This stage is born out of arrogance and entitlement.

2. Undisciplined Pursuit of More. As the wisest man who ever lived prayed, "Give me neither riches nor poverty but my daily bread." The pursuit of more is a cancer that kills.

3. Denial of Risk and Peril. This is denial. In this stage it's blame rather than accept responsibility.

4. Grasping for Salvation. Who or what will save us? Quick fix versus getting back to the disciplines that made you successful in the first place. The longer a company is here looking for the 'silver bullet' the more likely their demise.

5. Capitulation To Irrelevance or Death. Accumulated setbacks and expensive false starts erode the financial strengths but individual spirit and hope is lost for the future.

I especially like his points 1 and 2. Arrogance and pursuit of more from the beginning of time have defined the fall of not only companies but countries and us as individuals.

So how are you doing? How is your company doing? How are we doing as a country when measured by these 5 stages?

Now, after the 'doom and gloom', here is an inspiring video a friend sent me that you have to see on compassion. It's less than a minute long and was the winner of films at the Cannes Festival.

As always I appreciate your comments and thoughts.

rb