Custodians or Architects?

Are we thinking like custodians of today’s business or architects of tomorrow’s?

OPINION PIECE

Uzair Hassan, CEO Three H Solutions, Dubai

10/7/20262 min read

Being honest with oneself provides a kind of depth that would evade even hardened introspectors. The fact is, we are either Custodians or Architects. Are we geotagging and corralling, and positioning our wagons into a circle to defend what exists, when what is clearly required is for us to create the ecosystem for future success?

Are we thinking like custodians of today’s business or architects of tomorrow’s?

A heads up to all the managers and leaders out there. If you can answer these questions candidly and honestly (No one is watching) you’ll understand your current approach, mindset and positioning.

1) What are we focusing on, spending time and money on, training people on?

2) Is there an innovation budget / team / Dept.?

3) Are we rewarding behaviors that showcase innovative / creative approaches?

4) Are we looking at what can be improved? What needs to change? What needs to become obsolete?

5) Are we getting really good at doing what is clearly going obsolete?

The answers would provide you clarity on where your energy and focus is being deployed.

One needs to be mindful of the fact that: The danger to a successful organisation is not failure. It is in fact, becoming super-efficient at doing what would ultimately become irrelevant.

The challenge is, we never think it could happen to us. We are established (So were Ericsson or Nokia). We are market leaders (So were Blockbuster or Kodak). Even at the granular level, I never thought the coming digital revolution could replace me as an international facilitator. It decimated the field and created options that saved time, money, effort and provided flexibility and convenience. What it could not take though, was the human interaction that provides the personal touch, the humor, the ability to assess the energy levels in the classroom, the attention loss that may occur due to badly needed cigarette, coffee or restroom breaks. The ability to assess that the message may not have landed and that repeating it or providing context or examples may help. It will happen. The question is, are we prepared for it?

If I was to provide you a million dollars to spend as you like, what would you spend it on? Sales & Marketing, New product development, Supply Chains, Digital transformation, Staff training, branding enhancement, Advertising, Compliance etc.

In the context of this article, it is pretty clear where this is going based on your responses. You’ll be able to realize that your choices are those of custodians or architects.

The million dollars was irrelevant. I wanted you to see what you instinctively protect, what you're willing to sacrifice, and whether you think like custodians of today's business or architects of tomorrow's.”

Uzair Hassan

Uzair.hassan@3hsolutions.biz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/uzair-hassan-6451024/