Backs of the Statues
Just finished 'Good to Great: Why some companies make the Leap and others don't' by Jim Collins. A must-read for anyone embarking on their corporate journey. This book comes with strong recommendations, not only from one of the founders of a 'Good to Great' company that I know of but also from Jeff Bezos himself.
Packed with compelling stories and valuable lessons, it's been an eye-opener. I had the pleasure of immersing myself in it during our recent family trip to Hampi. While exploring, we stumbled upon the awe-inspiring Sasivekalu Ganesh temple (built in 1500 AD) on Hemkuta Hills. The front sculpture of Lord Ganesha is enthralling, but the real enchantment lies in the rear depiction of Parvati, with Ganesha in her lap—a truly rare and beautifully crafted sight.
In the book, there's a relatable story shared by the author towards the conclusion and in his blog:
'Peter Drucker likes to tell the story of a Greek sculptor from 500 BCE who was commissioned by the city of Athens to construct a set of statues to ring the top of a building. The sculptor toiled for months longer than expected, making the backs of the statues as beautiful as the fronts. The city commissioners, angered by his extra work, asked: "Why did you make the backs of the statues as beautiful as the front? No one will ever see the backs!"??
"Yes, but the Gods can see them, and I know it's there," replied the sculptor.'
Jim Collins adds, 'Building something great has more to do with the integrity of your input. I can't guarantee great results, but I can guarantee that the best feeling about what you do will come when the backs of the statues that no one else can see are as beautiful as the fronts. Not because of what you'll get for this, but simply because it's a higher standard. And that quiet knowledge of that higher standard that only you know—that, in the end, is what I wish for you.'
领英推荐
To explore my experience further, here are some useful links:
Sasivekalu Ganesh: https://hampi.in/sasivekalu-ganesha
#Hampi #JimCollins #SasivekaluGanesha #Karnataka #GoodToGreat #BusinessBooks
ICF ACC Coach for executives | SAP Project & Programme Manager
1 年Good one mate. Always appreciate the details in this book!