The Art and Science of Your Business

"The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge." -- Thomas Berger

Although we may not consciously think about it in these terms, it is important to understand that there is an art side and a science side to your business or career. Knowing the difference and asking the right questions on each side of the equation may be one of the keys to growing and maintaining a successful business or in advancing a career. Technical knowledge is great to have and it will serve your business and ultimately, your customers well. But to really compete, and grow a true business asset, there is so much more that needs to be addressed. So, let's talk about this.

That technical side of your business is what may be regarded as the "science" portion of your company. It can be looked at as the specific knowledge and skill-set needed to perform the task the business was created to address. Obviously, it is incredibly important. Can you imagine having an untrained plumber or electrician working on your home? How about an untrained dentist working on your teeth? Hurts to imagine it, doesn't it? But if the skill-set was limited only to the technical side, how would the business or practice grow? True, basic business skills or able assistance can produce some result, but when it really comes down to it, who is responsible for the success or failure of a business? Like it or not, it is the owner! So who needs to develop a different set of skills to move beyond simply working IN a business and get to the point of working ON the business? Once again, it is the owner. By the way, if you are one of the many business owners who believed your technical skills alone were going to build a huge business, and quickly found out otherwise, stay with me. There is hope -- and it can be found on the "art" side of the business.

The art side may be thought of as the soft skills and the entrepreneurial mindset that needs to be developed. These skills may include leadership skills, people skills, communication skills, systems thinking and development, conflict resolution skills and good old-fashioned sticktoitiveness. Even critical areas such as character, integrity, and honesty are developed and strengthened here. Now, while both the science and art side encompass so much more than what is discussed here, and can be somewhat interwoven, I hope this gives at least a basic idea of what makes them so different. While the science side makes sure the task is done right, the art side makes sure the task has a vehicle to sustain it. That vehicle is the business entity and hopefully the long-term asset that most business owners desire to build. Here's one way you can tell the difference. If the business stops working when the owner stops working, it can be thought of as a job. Yes, it may be a transferable or even salable job, but it still is really a job. But if the business can continue to operate without the owner directly working, it is an asset and it is likely to be worth so much more. Now it is important to point out that either can be good. It just depends on what was the desired outcome.

As a business grows, the leader must grow. No business can ever really rise any higher than the ability and current skill level of its leader, or owner. So a continuous business and personal development strategy is really crucial to long-term success. Part of that strategy is to have a coach or a mentor -- or both.

Having a coach or a mentor helps us identify our inevitable blind-spots, allowing us to create meaningful and measurable plans of action, and brings an accountability we may not otherwise embrace. The best athletes and the most successful business people usually have a coach to help them keep score. They are committed to developing both the art and the science necessary in the creation of a successful business or organization. So how do you measure up on each side of the equation? What questions do you need to ask yourself or even others to help benchmark where you are and where you want to be? Need help? Just ask the coach!