The last chapters of Good to Great focus on the importance of developing a culture of discipline wherein those who comprise the enterprise are disciplined enough to stay focused (i.e. hedgehog concept) and work within that focus for excellence. Couple this with an understanding of the "flywheel concept" indicating that change toward great occurs as momentum is achieved through perseverant effort. The principles from this book have important consequences for those who are wise enough to see their application.

Of course, as has been noted along the way, all of these principles correlate with other leadership principles drawn from other sources. Perhaps the most interesting thing about these principles is the data which supports them. The vast accumulation of this information and the analysis which produced these principles validate many of those principles taught by others.

An interesting deviation might be seen in the leadership principle which comes from those who teach "transformational" leadership. That is, leadership which focuses upon fulfilling the potential of those who are part of the institution, believing thereby that the goals of the organiation will be achieved as well. Although the principles of Good to Great encourage mutual respect and integrity, the emphasis is placed more squarely upon the "right people" who will focus with disciplined energy to achieve that for which they are passionate about.

Do you see the difference? It is in the goal. In transformational leadership, the development and fulfillent of the follower is the goal which ultimately affects the organization. In Good to Great, the focus is on being part of a great vision. For the church, particularly in America, we are easily convinced that the emphasis should be on the person. That the church's role is to fulfill the person, who will then participate in the mission. This practice has led the church into an increasingly self-focused spirial of stagnation. The goal of most churches is not the fulfillment of the Mission of Christ and the effort at Passionately becoming the best in ministry, but upon fulfilling individuals.

This seemingly circular arguent is, I think, at the root of a stagnant church. The focus is upon "me" and "my comfort," instead of Him and His mission. The New Testament church was one of great sacrifice and radical living. Ours is one of "comfortable" existence fiting into a culture which ignores Christian principles and even attacks Christian standards.

What do you think?