Success Built to Last

About the Authors

Jerry Porras is a renowned figure in organizational development and self-improvement. He co-authored the bestseller "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies," which has been translated into 25 languages and sold over a million copies. Porras has a reputation for delivering insightful lectures to senior management audiences worldwide.

Stewart Emery, a pioneer of the Human Potential Movement, co-founded Actualizations and has led seminars in numerous countries. Over the past three decades, he has coached more than 12,000 individuals, helping them unlock their potential and achieve personal growth.

Mark Thompson captured the insightful stories that formed the foundation for "Success Built to Last" from hundreds of personal interviews with enduringly successful people around the world. His role in the book was crucial in translating these conversations into actionable insights.

Main Idea

"Success Built to Last: Creating a Life That Matters" challenges the conventional wisdom of success and presents a new paradigm grounded in personal fulfillment and lasting impact. Drawing from face-to-face interviews with remarkable individuals, the authors distill the essence of enduring success into practical principles that anyone can apply. The book emphasizes that true success transcends wealth, fame, and power, focusing instead on a life and work that bring personal fulfillment, lasting relationships, and a positive impact on the world.

Table of Contents

1. From Great to Lasting - Redefining Success
2. Love It or Lose
3. Portfolio of Passions
4. Integrity to Meaning
5. The Silent Scream
6. You Don't Have to Be Charismatic to Be Successful
7. The Tripping Point - Always Make New Mistakes
8. Wounds to Wisdom
9. Earning Your Luck
10. Naked Conversations - Harvesting Contention
11. Creating Alignment - The Environment Always Wins

From Great to Lasting - Redefining Success

Success often fades if it is solely driven by wealth, fame, or power. Builders—those who achieve enduring success—argue that true success requires a compelling personal commitment to something you care about deeply. They emphasize the importance of working passionately and persistently for what matters to you, often without expecting external rewards.

"Builders insist that success may never come without a compelling personal commitment to something you care about and would be willing to do without counting on wealth, fame, power or public acceptance as an outcome." - Jerry Porras

This idea shifts the focus from external validation to internal fulfillment. Builders work with every ounce of their energy, becoming so absorbed in their passion that they lose track of time and effort.

• A scientist dedicated to environmental research who continues their work despite limited funding because they believe in its importance.
• An artist who creates for the joy and fulfillment of the process, regardless of commercial success.

Love It or Lose

The authors stress the importance of loving what you do. If you don't, you will eventually be outperformed by someone who does. In today's global economy, job security is uncertain, and personal capital—your talents, skills, relationships, and enthusiasm—is your greatest asset.