Are you developing your products or your people?

It’s no secret that the business world is continually becoming more competitive, complex, and technologically advanced, and extensive research shows that nothing is more important to an organization for sustained long-term growth than solid leadership.

But, the reality is most organizations aren’t really designed to develop solid leaders. They’re designed to sell products. Or build buildings. Or win cases. Or to meet quarterly projections. Simply put, all business (and nonprofits too) exist to produce results. And leaders often make the critical mistake of thinking their organizations can stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace and deliver better results by simply producing a better (or cheaper) product or service.

However, a product or service can be easily replicated or improved. A product or service can be automated or even become obsolete. But there’s never going to be a substitute for people. We’ve found that when you get the right people in place; products, services, innovative solutions, sustainable growth, the ability to change with the times, and most importantly, profits, follow.

The question is: Are you developing your products or your people? The most successful organizations do both.