Aligning Strategies with Context: A Lesson in Precision

Imagine the classic conundrum of a round peg attempting to fit into a square hole. 

This narrative doesn't pivot on revolutionary eureka moments but rather on the subtle realization that what we often perceive as the missteps of others might actually be our own misaligned actions, viewed through our personal lens of correctness.

Allow me to share a tale of travel, intricately tied to my journey to my brother's wedding, meticulously planned six months in advance. 

The contemporary travel landscape is a complex tapestry where airlines ingeniously bundle unsold seats into elaborate routes to ensure maximum occupancy, enhancing their cost efficiency and ROI in the process.

Consider the journey from Barcelona to Cordoba, potentially routed through a series of connections that could significantly reduce the cost of a Business Class ticket, compared to more direct flights. 

For those who savor the journey as much as the destination, this offers an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in the luxury of time—time to reflect, plan, and connect in the serene ambiance of airport lounges, a luxury seldom afforded in the hustle of everyday life.

Yet, the real challenge emerges not in the journey but in navigating the ecosystem of airport lounges, a testament to my own experience. 

Holding a Business Class ticket presupposes access to these tranquil havens, yet the reality proved to be a maze of confusion and denied entries.

My ordeal in Guarulhos, Brazil, serves as a poignant illustration. 

Despite presenting a valid Business Class ticket, access to the lounges was consistently denied under the pretext of being at the wrong lounge for my ticket type. 

This repetitive cycle of denial and redirection led to a profound moment of introspection.

The issue was not a lack of entitlement or courtesy but a misalignment in location. 

The breakthrough came when I realized my flight departed from a different terminal than where I was seeking access. Upon aligning my location with the correct terminal, access was seamlessly granted, highlighting the pivotal role of being in the right place.

This experience transcends travel, mirroring a vital business principle: having the right tools, strategies, or qualifications is only part of the success equation. 

The other, often overlooked part, is ensuring they are applied in the correct context. 

Just as my lounge access hinged not on my ticket but on my presence in the correct terminal, business strategies, too, must be contextually aligned to be effective.

In the realm of business, especially for those contemplating or currently serving on advisory boards or as non-executive directors, this tale underscores the essence of strategic alignment and contextual awareness. 

It prompts a reevaluation of how we position our strategies, products, or services, suggesting that sometimes, the only adjustment needed is in their application, not their inherent quality.

This narrative serves as a call to action: to reassess, realign, and reposition our strategies to ensure they resonate with their intended audience and context, much like finding the right terminal for lounge access.

It's a reminder that in business, as in travel, being in the right place can make all the difference.