Jim Collins

Toward the end of my prison term, I read Jim Collins’ Good to Great. He wrote about building great companies, and I saw many parallels between the lessons he offered for building a great company and the efforts I was making to build a life after prison.

I reflected on the long, challenging journey of transforming my life while serving time in federal prison. Collins’ concept of the flywheel provided a framework that mirrored my experience.

When I began preparing for success after release, it was like trying to push a massive flywheel—difficult and slow at first. I had a hard time at first, trying to find schools willing to admit me. Once I enrolled, completing coursework under the restrictions of federal prison added to the challenge. But, like the flywheel, the more I pushed, the easier it became. Each small victory built momentum. Along the way, I discovered mentors who guided me, amplifying my progress and helping me stay the course. That pattern continued after my release.

Another story I remember from Collins was the idea of a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). This concept inspired me to think beyond incremental improvements and to aim for transformative, world-changing objectives. My BHAG became clear: I wanted to use my experiences in prison to make a meaningful impact. I envisioned helping others overcome adversity by sharing my journey, empowering them to see that transformation is possible, no matter how daunting the circumstances.

Collins also emphasized the importance of aligning three key elements, represented by three interlocking circles:

• What you are deeply passionate about,
• What you can be the best in the world at, and
• What drives your economic engine.
  

This framework guided me as I charted my post-incarceration path. I realized I could align my passion for education, my experience navigating the justice system, and my ability to communicate effectively into a mission to help people prepare for success.

The lessons I learned from Good to Great became a part of my strategy. Collins’ principles reinforced my belief in the power of sustained effort, big-picture thinking, and aligning values with actions. They also strengthened my resolve to serve as an ambassador for change, using my story to inspire others to believe in their potential.

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