Businesses that thrive have leaders who can see things before they happen.  It is both a gift and a learned skillset that sets apart leaders who can evaluate the needs of the business, or the market, and move the company in that direction.  Evaluating the future entails dealing with uncertainty.  Leaders with this gift actually embrace uncertainty, which often is the fuel that drives their minds to dream about what’s next.

I’ve learned over the years that a thriving business must continually change.  There will never be a moment when the business will “arrive” with no worries.  Its core principles and value systems need stability, but its product or service must continually improve and evolve to meet the changing needs of the customer.  Competition from others will drive this need to change, because someone else is always preparing to take your place with your customers.  You must continually provide value, and that is the only thing that is constant.  This is the beauty of competition – it brings out the best in people.

Evaluating the future involves risk, but effective business leaders have the fortitude to take that risk.  Risk means you will have some failures, but that you will become stronger and learn because of them.  The one thing that will prevent your growth will be to freeze and not make the decisions at all – allowing doubt and fear to take away your courage.  So do your homework, evaluate the options, and make an informed decision.  Be a visionary.