Figures and Feelings - the enigma of what makes a great business

Your business runs well when you combine figures and feelings.

Figures:

Getting the numbers right.

Feelings:

Creating environments in which your team and patients are motivated to take action.

The Challenges:

The challenge with "figures" is getting owners out of their foxholes to do the analysis - maths and spreadsheets aren't seen as fun by most people.

I loved maths at school and, after passing my GCSE a year early, I went on to obtain a further qualification in Pure Maths and Statistics.

With hindsight, I should have become an actuary.

When I look at a P&L, a cash flow forecast, or a spreadsheet, I can see what's right or wrong in a heartbeat (a bit like you looking at an x-ray).

The challenge with "feelings" (and I found myself saying this to a client again this week) is that you cannot motivate people - you can only create environments in which they choose to become self-motivated.

I love public-speaking when you can see the light bulbs going on in the heads of the audience - realising their own potential.

Leadership is about creating those environments.

The Enigma:

"Figures" are left-brain - data - Mr. Spock in Star Trek - no emotion.

"Feelings" are right-brain - emotion - Captain Kirk.

It's tough to be both.

(Thank you Siobhan)