This podcast from Jim Collins's book, Good to Great, examines why some companies achieve long-term success while others remain merely "good." Collins and his research team spent five years analyzing eleven companies that made the leap from "good to great" and compared them to eleven "comparison" companies that failed to make the leap. The research reveals a set of key principles that differentiate the good-to-great companies, including the importance of Level 5 leadership, the necessity of confronting brutal facts, the power of a Hedgehog Concept (a simple, unifying idea that guides decisions), and the crucial role of a culture of discipline. The book also explores the pitfalls that can lead to mediocrity, such as misguided acquisitions and leadership changes that disrupt the momentum of the company.