Jim Collins
Jim Collins is a New York Times bestselling author, world-renowned management consultant, and trusted advisor to CEOs and business leaders worldwide. Recognized as one of today’s leading experts on corporate strategy, organizational growth, and leadership, Collins has authored and co-authored eight influential books, collectively selling over 10 million copies globally. His seminal works—Good to Great, Built to Last, How the Mighty Fall, and Great by Choice—are widely regarded as essential resources in leadership and business strategy. Beyond his writing, Collins has worked directly with executives at over 100 companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, and federal government agencies, providing transformative insights on building enduring and high-performing organizations.
Jim Collins Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Author
Academic History
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Master of Business Administration
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B.S., Mathematical Sciences
LEADERSHIP
Jim Collins is the creator of the “flywheel” concept, illustrating that building a successful organization is not about one defining action or breakthrough innovation, but about consistently applying effort to generate sustained momentum.
His research shows that long-term success resembles pushing a massive flywheel, gradually building force until it gains unstoppable motion.
Collins has served as faculty at the University of Colorado and the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
He has also collaborated with organizations such as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the United States Marine Corps, and the American Association of K-12 School Superintendents.
EARLY CAREER
Collins began his professional journey as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s leading management consulting firms.
He later served as a Product Manager at Hewlett-Packard, gaining firsthand experience in technology and corporate strategy.
In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducted in-depth research on organizational performance and provided executive training for corporate leaders.
RECOGNITIONS
2019 Thinkers50
2010 University of Notre Dame Sheedy Excellence in Teaching Award
1992 Stanford Graduate School of Business' Distinguished Teaching Award
Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point
MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
Collins is best known for his landmark bestseller Good to Great, which has sold over 4 million copies worldwide and been translated into 35 languages.
His research and insights have been featured in top-tier publications such as Fortune, Business Week, The Economist, USA Today, and Harvard Business Review, solidifying his reputation as a leading authority on leadership, business strategy, and organizational excellence.