Deal With The World As It Is?

Jack Welch once said, “Deal with the world as it is, not how you’d like it to be.” Ok, I get where he was coming from but I don’t agree. (I also can’t believe I am publicly disagreeing with the genius he is but that’s another story!)

If we continue to deal with the world as it is will it ever be the world we want it to be? I’m not saying we should ignore reality – that would be business suicide. But let’s consider how we can still live in today’s reality and yet move us closer to where we want to be.

How about-

1. Focus on small changes to propel growth and improvement. Amazing how the smallest changes can have tremendous impact. Think of the sport cap on a water bottle – simple change but allows you to have a bottle of water that opens and reseals easily for kids and active adults. Small change but wish I had the patent on it! Closer to where we want the world to be.
2. All you “positive disrupters” unite! Don’t give up on innovation. This is your time!! We are all begging for new and improved products, services and systems to help us. Evaluate every opportunity. Keep your eyes wide open. Look for ways to say “yes” and make it happen. Remember, it’s all about the customer.  
3. By getting to know our customers’ business we can adjust ours and grow. Familiarity improves alignment. Alignment breeds innovation. Innovation means getting closer to where we want the world to be.
4. Ask for customer input. And, most importantly, ACT on their input. Treasure it. In today’s world it’s all about the customer’s input driving priorities and decisions. It’s also what will push us forward with new ideas and discoveries and get us closer to the world we’d like it to be.

I’d like to take Jack’s phrase and rewrite it – “Deal with the world as it is while making it the world we want it to be.” The world is looking for new leaders. How will you lead us?