The other day I was listening to an Egyptian intellectual being asked about the development of the country’s new constitution.  When asked if this should be done on religious or secular grounds he replied suggesting that this was not the right question; the issue was should it be drawn up by draughtsmen or dreamers?

I think this same distinction applies in business when leaders need to develop strategies and change plans.  Luckily for most businesses this is not a once in a lifetime opportunity like the challenge now facing many countries in the wake of the Arab spring.  So the choice is not really either / or.  Leaders must have the ability to do a little of both and have the wisdom to know how much of each is required in a given situation.

In these austere times, when survival is the name of the game then undoubtedly the skills of the draughtsman must win out.  Careful, disciplined attention to detail is the most effective way to eliminate waste without cutting in to the capabilities that will be so vital when recovery opportunities appear.

However no business ever cut its way to glory.  There must be a time for ambition and there is a time when leaders must have the courage to dream a little.  In previous posts I’ve quoted king Solomon – “Without vision the people shall perish”.  A business perpetually run by draughtsmen is a dull and uninspiring place to be.

Survival comes at a price.  It’s the leader’s job to ensure that it doesn’t come at too great a price.