LEADERSHIP: SCALING THE CLIFF FACE

We've all seen the graph.  Starting low at the left, it rises little over the centuries.  Then, in the last hundred years, begins to rise at an alarming rate.  And today, climbs almost vertically – whether plotting the number of patents, the sale of mobile phones or the growth of online commerce. 

Until recently, there were still times of both change and consolidation.  The decade-to-decade graph showed rises but also plateaus.  Times to stretch; times to recover.

Today, we look up an ever-steeper cliff-face.  It's daunting for older players.  But, most of us oldies have come to terms with our obsolescence.  However, it's also daunting for younger people.  It must seem unfair for a newly minted degree to depreciate so fast.  Yesterday's computer-science heroes now serve newer graduates working in nanotechnology, derivatives modelling or molecular pharmacology.

No wonder, they and many leaders feel it's all too much.  Why go on struggling?  Trying to identify emerging shifts in technologies and industry structures  To define competitive opportunities and threats.  And, how to fit all this together in a world of changing alliances and global risks - whether natural or manmade?  And, determine whether my organisation will still be here in three years, let alone ten.

There's an old saying that the price of safety is eternal vigilance.  In business, this was never more true.

So, put on your climbing boots - and get on top of the changes!

Categories for this Potshot:

Monitor and shape change, Foster learning and reinventing,

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