Within a company, what is the most important aspect… the people, the idea, the products or the company itself?
On Monday, I asked this question followed by using a quote from the book “Built to Last” by Jim Collins. In this quote, Collins states, “Be prepared to kill, revise or evolve an idea, but never give up the company.”
So, you can give up the people?
You can change the idea?
You can adjust the products?
Yet, the company remains.
Where is the fidelity in this?
This is a hard realization to come to: Company first.
As the world evolves to become more equitable and inclusive, putting the company first seems archaic.
However, based on history and data, building a company that lasts for the long haul requires putting the company first.
People come and go. Ideas come and go. Products come and go. The company – based the core beliefs and values – remains.
Published by JC Hurtado-Prater | Leadership Professor + Consultant
JC Hurtado-Prater serves as Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Leadership at the Fermanian School of Business at Point Loma Nazarene University where he oversees the graduate business and leadership programs. In addition, through his company, Bluestone Consulting, LLC, JC serves as a leadership consultant for executives and teams at global organizations such as Johnson + Johnson, Cisco, Visa, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Harbor Freight, Park Hyatt and more.
A veteran of the United States Army, JC earned a BA from UCLA, MBA through Saint Joseph’s College and is currently completing his doctorate in business administration through Indiana Wesleyan University. Passionate about community service in San Diego, JC serves on several local boards for organizations such as UC San Diego, South Bay Community Services, Thrivent Financial Southwest Region and Southwestern College Foundation. JC resides in the 4S Ranch area of San Diego, CA. In his free time, JC enjoys reading, working out and kayaking the California coast.
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