On it or In it… Which to focus on?

The dilemma that business leaders face daily... Do I work In the business today for the short-term or do I work On it for the long-term? The problem is that you need to do both well and that is almost impossible without additional resources. Ignoring either typically leads to big problems that are avoidable.

Say you decide to work In the business today — what is the cost? You jeopardize sustainable growth! Now say you decide to work On the business today — what is the cost? You risk losing back-office effectiveness. Sustainable growth that is high value, high return most likely involves focusing on your true purpose. While back-office effectiveness is essential to your business success, it often costs significant time and money and is not particularly rewarding.

Which should you be focused on?