Business success during times of uncertainty requires disciplined leadership not change

In a business world characterised by change, uncertainty and even chaos, business guru Jim Collins says the surest way to steer a company to lasting success is through disciplined leadership. That was the advice given to UAE business leaders during an exclusive seminar in Dubai, 15^th May.

More than 200 executives assembled in the Godolphin Ballroom at Jumeirah Emirates Towers to listen to, via satellite feed, the renowned management expertise of Jim Collins and his presentation at the FORTUNE Leadership Summit in Atlanta, USA.

The event was organised by biz-ability, a corporate leadership training and development company, as part of its annual World Thought Leader Seminars for clients and senior business people.

Previous seminars have featured business coach Liz Wiseman, author of “Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter”, and business strategist Verne Harnish, author of the bestseller “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm”.

Collins’ latest research, documented in his new book “Great by Choice”, explores why some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not. Based on nine years of research, supported by rigorous analysis and infused with engaging stories, Collins and co-author Morten Hansen identify the principles for building a truly great enterprise in unpredictable, tumultuous, and fast-moving times.

Collins refers to these great organisations as 10X, not only for surviving during difficult times, but because they beat the industry index by at least 10 times. “How they do this is rather counterintuitive,” Collins said. “The 10X companies changed less in reaction to their changing world than the comparison cases.”

During the three-hour seminar Collins told delegates there are three vital practices a company should adopt to help it succeed during challenging times.

“First, leaders need to be fanatical about discipline. You must ensure extreme consistency of actions, values, goals, performance standards and methods. Second, be empirical and let your decisions be informed by evidence rather than your gut instinct or the views and experiences of others. And third, create a culture of productive paranoia. Remain hyper vigilant and highly attuned to threats and changes in your environment. Then prepare for the worst possible scenarios with contingency plans. It’s really important to do this when things are going well,” said Collins.

“Contrary to popular belief, the signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change; the signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency,” he added.

Hazel Jackson, CEO of biz-group, the holding company of biz-ability, said, “The biz-group has been working with Jim Collins’ principles for more than seven years, incorporating his management techniques into many of our business strategy and leadership training programmes. This is the first time Jim has allowed international audiences to participate in his seminars via satellite feed, which is testament to the strength of our partnership. We are delighted to facilitate for our clients and the wider UAE business community such exclusive access to this high calibre of world thought leaders.”

The Jim Collins event in Dubai was supported by Etisalat Academy and Jumeirah Emirates Towers