This week, a visitor stopped by my office with a copy of Good to Great by Jim Collins, eager to discuss how its principles could be applied to their daily work. It got me thinking about some practical ways we can integrate these insights into what we do every day to elevate our performance and impact.
One key principle is the idea of Level 5 Leadership—a blend of humility and fierce professional resolve. In action, this could look like a team leader who, instead of taking all the credit, publicly acknowledges the contributions of their team during a successful project. On the flip side, when things don’t go as planned, this leader takes ownership of mistakes and works with the team to identify ways to improve. A colleague of mine did this after a challenging event—gathering the team, listening to their feedback, and implementing real changes to foster a more productive committee and environment. It was the perfect example of balancing humility with the courage to make tough decisions for long-term success.
The Hedgehog Concept is another valuable idea. It encourages us to focus on the sweet spot where our passion, unique abilities, and results-driven work intersect. For instance, I’ve seen colleagues who are incredibly passionate about fostering team collaboration step up to create processes that improve communication across departments. By leaning into their strengths in project management and interpersonal skills, they not only found more personal fulfillment but also significantly improved team efficiency and morale. Think about the areas in your work that excite you the most, where you have unique skills, and how those align with your team or organization’s priorities. Focusing on these strengths can lead to both personal and organizational growth.
Finally, Collins talks about the importance of confronting the brutal facts while maintaining unwavering faith in the end goal. In practice, this could mean openly addressing performance gaps or challenges during a team meeting, while staying optimistic about finding solutions. I’ve witnessed this in my own work: when a project faced repeated delays, instead of glossing over the issues, the team openly discussed what was holding them back and then shifted strategies. It wasn’t easy, but that honest assessment—and the determination to stay focused on the final goal—helped us turn things around and meet our targets.
So, as you think about your work today, consider how you might apply these principles. How can you lead with both humility and resolve? What unique strengths can you bring to the table? And how can you confront challenges head-on while keeping your eye on the goal?
I’d love to hear how you’re applying these ideas in your day-to-day work. Let’s keep the conversation going!
By: Elizabeth Hill, Associate Director, University of Colorado Boulder Ombuds Office and co-editor of Ombuzz