Ric Jurgens admits he favors novels and biographies over business books, but one business title he has found useful as the president and chief executive of Hy-Vee Inc. is Jim Collins’ “From Good to Great.”

Jurgens and a panel of other Greater Des Moines leaders shared how they continue to incorporate principles from the perennial bestseller into their organizations at this morning’s Power Breakfast, hosted by the Des Moines Business Record. Joining him on the panel were J. Barry Griswell, chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc., Gary Thomas, president of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, and Matthew Wendt, superintendent of Ankeny Community Schools. Mike Colwell, executive director of the Business Innovations Zone, moderated the event, attended by more than 180 people at the Ruan Center.

No matter what size the organization, great leaders identify and nurture people who have the passion to make it better, the panelists said.

“Personal passion is good, but general passion is better,” Jurgens said. “Those with a passion for much bigger goals than themselves; if you look for people like that, you’ll do well.”

People must be engaged with what they’re doing to move their organization forward to greatness, Griswell said. “If someone doesn’t have a passion for helping people to meet their financial goals, then Principal is not the right place for them,” he said.

Wendt said he believes strongly in the power of observing the habits of great organizations and adopting them. For instance, he has sent administrators on weeklong job shadowing assignments to school districts in other states. “I’m a believer that leadership can be learned,” he said.

Leadership is particularly important today in the automobile business, Thomas said. “I attempt to serve as a role model, and I see that dealers spend a lot of time as role models and mentors,” he said. “I really believe that the more I give, the more I get, and the more I get, the more I give.”

The quarterly Power Breakfast was sponsored by Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Des Moines Area Community College and Right Management.