Standing still is not an option

Having just run a leadership course in Las Vegas, I am the envy of all my friends and family. At first glance Vegas is an amazing city of opulence and over indulgence. Buildings are all lit up with gold exteriors and lavish fountains welcoming you as you arrive into the hotel lobbies. But scratch the surface and you see a problem. Other than the newest high rises, or the exclusive venues for the rich and famous, many hotels are in serious need of maintenance work and the quality of food and service leaves much to be desired. One gets the impression that in their heyday  these hotels were world class, but the world has moved on, and in places like Dubai, Singapore and Thailand you get a much better customer experience, at a much better price.

The benefit for a consumer in a  competitive environment is that things are continually improving. This creates a challenge for the suppliers – what was excellent yesterday is only average today. After a very disappointing experience with a major car hire company on my last trip I switched to a new entrant to the market. What a difference! I was personally greeted by a manager armed with my keys and completed contract. He was expecting me as he was tipped off by the bus driver. You are also guaranteed less than a 5 minute wait for the bus. There is no arrival queue - we walked straight over to my car and in 5 minutes flat I was on my way! Unless the older companies wake up to the increased customer expectations, they will find themselves losing market share. Standing still is not an option.

Leadership is the same. Unless you are continually learning and moving forward you will find you are in reality going backwards, relative to others around you. In my leadership classes I see those who are destined  for great things as they have the right attitude to learning and continual improvement. In your busy jobs, ask yourself when last you invested in your own personal development, so you are going forward not backwards.