Books
Good to Great
In the summer of 2021, when I was interning at Skybridge Associates, one of the books my mentor and the firm’s CEO suggested I read was Good to Great by Jim Collins. At the time, I was still early in my career, trying to understand what separates companies — and people — that are simply solid from those that build something enduring.
In the summer of 2021, when I was interning at Skybridge Associates, one of the books my mentor and the firm’s CEO suggested I read was Good to Great by Jim Collins. At the time, I was still early in my career, trying to understand what separates companies — and people — that are simply solid from those that build something enduring.
What stayed with me about the book is that greatness is rarely about one bold move or one charismatic idea. It is usually the result of discipline, clarity, and consistency over time.
A few principles stuck with me:
Level 5 Leadership. The best leaders are not always the loudest people in the room. They combine ambition with humility. That idea has stayed with me because the strongest people I’ve worked with usually let the work speak first.
First who, then what. Before strategy, before process, before growth plans — get the right people on the bus. That lesson applies everywhere: teams, startups, projects, even personal life. Direction matters, but people matter first.
Confront the brutal facts. Optimism is useful, but only when paired with honesty. Strong teams face what is true, even when it is uncomfortable. In finance, product work, and life in general, avoiding reality usually delays progress.
The Hedgehog Concept. This was one of the most practical ideas for me: find the intersection of what you can be great at, what you care deeply about, and what creates real economic value. That is a powerful framework not just for companies, but for careers too.
Culture of discipline. Greatness is not built on hype. It is built on repeated, disciplined action. Small things done well, over and over again, compound.
The Flywheel. Progress often looks invisible for a long time. Then one day it looks obvious from the outside. That image has stayed with me because so much of life works that way — learning, career growth, relationships, writing, building products, even sport.
Looking back, Good to Great was more than just a business book recommendation. It gave me an early framework for how I think about work: be honest about reality, stay disciplined, focus on what really fits, and trust that meaningful progress compounds.
That idea still feels true to me. Greatness is rarely dramatic in the moment. It is usually built quietly, one deliberate turn of the wheel at a time.