Andrew Hessel
Synthetic Biologist & Futurist | Co-founder, Genome Project-write | President, Humane Genomics | Co-author, The Genesis Machine
Jim Collins
Bestselling Author, Good to Great & Built to Last | Forbes 100 Greatest Business Minds | Leadership Researcher
One of the most influential business thinkers alive, Jim Collins has sold over eleven million copies of research-driven bestsellers including Good to Great, Built to Last, and Great by Choice. His newest work, What to Make of a Life, extends his methodology to the study of meaningful lives. Collins delivers keynotes that turn rigorous research into transformative leadership principles.
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Jim Collins biography
Leadership speaker Jim Collins is one of the most influential business thinkers of his generation. His research-driven books — including the landmark Good to Great, the enduring classic Built to Last, and Great by Choice — have collectively sold more than eleven million copies worldwide and shaped how organizations across every sector think about performance, discipline, and sustained excellence. Collins’ frameworks, from Level 5 Leadership to the Flywheel Effect and the Hedgehog Concept, have become foundational vocabulary for leaders navigating complexity and change.
After earning degrees in mathematical sciences and business from Stanford University, Collins served on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award. Driven by relentless curiosity about what separates the great from the merely good, he left academia to establish a management research laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he has spent decades conducting rigorous comparative studies of organizations and leaders. Named one of Forbes’ 100 Greatest Living Business Minds, Collins brings the same empirical rigor to the stage that defines his published work.
A New Dimension: From Great Organizations to Meaningful Lives
Collins’ newest work, What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative, marks a significant evolution in his intellectual journey. The result of a decade-long research project, the book extends his signature comparative methodology to the study of individual lives, examining pivotal moments — cliffs — where clarity gives way to confusion and the choices people make at those crossroads. For the first time, Collins chronicles his own story, revealing how the pursuit of self-knowledge transformed his thinking in fundamental ways.
As a speaker, Jim Collins delivers high-impact keynotes that translate decades of research into actionable leadership principles. Whether addressing the disciplines that separate great companies from good ones, the dynamics of thriving in uncertainty, or the deeply personal question of what to make of a life, Collins challenges senior audiences to examine their assumptions and commit to the rigorous self-honesty that enduring greatness demands.
Jim Collins Speaking Videos
Jim Collins - Being Great Is a Matter of Choice and Discipline
Jim Collins - The X Factor of Truly Great Leadership
Jim Collins Keynote Topics
Drawing on a landmark five-year research project comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not, Jim Collins reveals the systematic differences that enable enduring excellence. This keynote explores the core concepts from his bestselling work — Level 5 Leadership, the principle of First Who Then What, the Hedgehog Concept, and the Flywheel Effect — and shows how intentional decisions and disciplined execution, not favorable circumstances, determine which organizations achieve lasting greatness.
What enables certain companies to maintain their visionary status across decades of leadership change, market disruption, and economic turbulence? In this keynote, Collins shares findings from his classic study of enduringly great organizations, exploring principles such as Preserving the Core while Stimulating Progress, setting Big Hairy Audacious Goals, and embracing the Genius of the AND. Leaders leave with a framework for building organizations that transcend any single leader or era.
Some companies prosper amid chaos while others falter under the same conditions. Based on a nine-year research project conducted with Morten Hansen, this keynote examines what sets apart leaders and organizations that thrive in unpredictable, fast-moving environments. Collins introduces concepts including 10X leadership, the 20 Mile March, firing bullets before cannonballs, and productive paranoia — providing a disciplined playbook for navigating turbulence and emerging stronger.
In his newest and most personal work, Jim Collins extends his signature comparative research methodology from organizations to individual lives. This keynote explores pivotal moments — cliffs — where life flips from clarity to confusion, examining how different people navigate the same crossroads with dramatically different outcomes. Collins shares insights from a decade of studying the self-knowledge imperative, challenging audiences to examine what they truly want to make of their lives and to approach that question with the same rigor they bring to building great organizations.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Jim Collins
Why Jim Collins?
Jim Collins is one of the most respected and widely cited business thinkers in the world. With over eleven million books sold and frameworks that have become standard leadership vocabulary — Level 5 Leadership, the Flywheel Effect, the Hedgehog Concept — Collins brings an unmatched depth of research-backed insight to any stage. His keynotes are not motivational talks filled with anecdotes; they are rigorous, evidence-based presentations that challenge senior audiences to rethink their assumptions about what drives lasting greatness. Named one of Forbes' 100 Greatest Living Business Minds, Collins delivers the rare combination of intellectual depth and practical applicability that transforms how leaders think and act. Book Jim Collins through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring world-class leadership insight to your next event.
What are Jim Collins' most famous books?
Jim Collins has authored some of the most influential business books ever published. Good to Great, his most widely known work, explores why some companies make the leap to sustained excellence while others do not. Built to Last, co-authored with Jerry Porras, examines what makes visionary companies endure across generations. Great by Choice, co-authored with Morten Hansen, investigates how certain organizations thrive in uncertainty. His other works include How the Mighty Fall, Turning the Flywheel, and Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0. His newest book, What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative, extends his research methodology to the study of individual lives and the pursuit of meaning.
What is Jim Collins' new book about?
What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative is the product of a decade-long research project in which Collins extended his comparative methodology from organizations to individual lives. The book examines pivotal moments — cliffs — where life shifts from clarity to confusion, studying pairs of people who faced similar crossroads but made dramatically different choices. For the first time, Collins also shares his own personal story, revealing how this research transformed his thinking and emotions in fundamental ways. The book argues for the imperative of self-knowledge as the foundation for a richly fulfilled life.
What can audiences expect from a Jim Collins keynote?
A Jim Collins keynote is a research-driven, intellectually rigorous experience that challenges senior leaders to think differently about organizational and personal excellence. Collins draws on decades of empirical study to present frameworks and principles that audiences can apply immediately. His presentations are known for their depth, clarity, and practical relevance, whether he is addressing corporate leadership, organizational strategy, or the personal dimensions of building a meaningful life. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Jim Collins can deliver a transformative keynote tailored to your event's objectives.
How to book Jim Collins as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Jim Collins as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Jim Collins's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Jim Collins or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Jim Collins speaking fee?
Jim Collins speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Jim Collins to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Jim Collins.
How can I contact Jim Collins?
We only work with Jim Collins on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Jim Collins and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Jim Collins speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Jim Collins for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Jim Collins for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Jim Collins is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Jim Collins for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
