As a leader, do you know what business you really are in? I am Dr. David Gyertson with a thought about Leadership for Times Like These.

As a strategic initiatives advisor, I usually begin with “What business are you in?” Often, I get a “means” response. Let me illustrate. At the turn of the 20^th century, a transportation revolution began. Trains dominated that industry, causing those who engineered that means to think they were in the railroad business.

A similar issue faced ship owners before the railroads became prominent. Neither ultimately were in the railroad or ship business, they were in the transportation business. Another example is the Pony Express rider who was not ready for the telegraph to replace the horse in the rapid delivery of communications.

Current examples include bookstores, record companies, over-the-air broadcast giants and others who often are caught in a means limitation of how they view their industries.

Among my colleagues are some Christian broadcasters who think they are in the radio or television business. While both means still have some relevance, those who understand that they are in the Gospel communications business have been most nimble, moving to other modalities including the Internet, texting, blogging, and a wide range of media to be today’s evangels of the Christian faith.

I also see the means limitations among educational institutions that are locked into increasingly limiting modalities to deliver their knowledge transfer business. So, what business are you really in? Knowing that will help facilitate continuing relevance, viability & effectiveness.

 If I can be of assistance to you in your leadership calling, please contact me at LeadershipTLT@gmail.com