I recently read your book Good to Great and thought it was very good. You give a good look at what companies that are going from being a good company to becoming a great company have in common. I recall in the book you said one of the main or most critical components to becoming a great company was leadership. Do you still feel that to be the case?
And what do you think creates a good leader? Especially one that can take a company from good to great?

Not Leadership per se, but Level 5 leadership. Although this is not the only variable.

Another question I have is about the research for this book. I know with this book and your previous one you and your team spent a lot of time and effort in researching. What did you find most surprising in your research for Good to Great? Something that I think makes your books stand out from others is the research and the objective analytical viewpoint. Was this a conscious effort on your part as the project leader? And do you find it difficult to stay objective in your research?

Yes, very conscious. Very important to try to let the data drive the answers, not biased assumptions.

As an avid reader with a strong interest in business and business strategy I found your book to be very enjoyable. Who would you say, as the author, would be your target audience? Whom do you think would enjoy reading Good to Great and why? I would think it was more for executives and those who are in upper management positions, particularly at companies looking to move away from the pack.

I've found people in all walks of life using it, from sports coaches to people running very small organizations.

Lastly are you working on anything new? What other questions would you like to answer perhaps building on the other two books? And what are you reading now? I find it interesting to see what the authors of books that I am reading or have read find interesting to read.
Thank you very much for your time and answers to my questions.

Always working on new ideas; nothing to come out soon, though.