We all live in the same reality. Our businesses are heavily dependent on technology. Staying current is a constant struggle. Supply chains, or the lack of them, have been a nightmare for most of us the last three years. Customer self-service is here to stay and the ability to provide a hands-free customer experience is proving to be a competitive differentiator. This requires more digital capabilities and talent as automation expands into nearly all areas of our companies. Automation, once looked at in the light of replacing vanishing skills in the industry as the boomers aged out, is now a potentially crucial way to combat a historically tight labor market…and, in case you’re wondering, a labor market that may last several years. Particularly vexing is that the money to stay abreast of all this is harder to get in an inflationary environment.

Internally, process improvement is a major skill that often goes lacking in small to mid-sized businesses. Project management expertise (I’m not talking about the customer service department here) is in short supply. Often overlooked, it is at the heart of implementing new software and other technology. Robust processes for recruiting, hiring, retaining, and developing talent for the future are non-existent in most of our companies.

At the end of the day, what are we left with to deal with this reality we all contend with? Perhaps, the most important answer is: us, as the leaders, and all the people who work for us and depend on us. What separates you and your people from everyone else and their people? Hopefully, it’s the level of competence you and your people possess to do their jobs and fulfill their roles. Are you and yours better? If you’re like most of us, you will say yes. But, like everybody else, you can’t prove it.