---
title: "The Council"
description: "A standing group used to reach a Hedgehog Concept through debate."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-council/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The Council

> A standing group used to reach a Hedgehog Concept through debate.

Jim Collins's framework, from Good to Great, pp. 100 to 130.

Framework 8 of 15 from [Good to Great](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/good-to-great/index.md) by Jim Collins. Category: Systems and operations.

## The steps

1. **Assemble the right people.** Five to twelve people who can argue for understanding and who respect one another.
2. **Debate in light of the three circles.** Meet on a regular rhythm with the brutal facts on the table.
3. **Decide without consensus.** The leading executive keeps the final call.
4. **Autopsy and learn.** Go round the cycle again, and increase how often you go round to speed up insight.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Chapter 5 - The Hedgehog Concept - (Simplicity within the Three Circles), pp. 100–130

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-council.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-council-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-council.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-council-dark.png