Last week I wrote about leading the business savvy in learning organisations 2020s style where I explained that a great business acumen is enhanced with creative thinking (see figure below). This week I concentrate on the relationship between the business savvy leader and the scientific types in organisations. The techos, the numbers people, the data guys.

Leading the Learning Organisation

Business leaders are often making decisions with imperfect information. Many are oblivious to the possibilities that science can easily bring to allow much more precise answers. 

Business leaders are often making decisions with imperfect information. Many are oblivious to the possibilities that science can easily bring to allow much more precise answers. 

Why? Sometimes because they are gut feel decision makers. Others work with a do or die attitude – they can break through anything – until they can’t. Or, they simply don’t get the techos because the techos are speaking in gobbledegook.     

Whichever the situation, your challenge is to get the business savvy and the scientists working together to get more precision in your organisation. More precision means less errors and rework and more output and growth. And it does not need to come at great cost. It does not take much to break down the barriers between them and get them talking the same language. 

As a leader in your organisation, how are you helping those with the business acumen and the scientists to work together?