What I learn from a hot air balloon story?

As you can imagine, part of my job is to ensure that we have the right balance of technology and business leadership principles in my division as we drive technology innovation and move the business forward. I came across this story the other day that really pointed out the differences between the two disciplines in a really funny way:

A man in a hot air balloon is lost. He sees a man on the ground and reduces height to speak to him.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?"

"You're in a hot air balloon hovering thirty feet above this field," comes the reply.

"You must work in Information Technology," says the balloonist.

"I do," says the man, "How did you know?"

"Well," says the balloonist, "Everything you told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone."

"You must be in business," says the man.

"I am," says the balloonist, "How did you know?"

"Well," says the man, "You don't know where you are, you don't know where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault."

For me, it really reminded me to be thoughtful of the different filters these two disciplines think about the world and needing to ensure that we connect the dots between the two worlds.

Namaste!