THE LIGHTHOUSE Principle
I saw something on social media recently that stopped me mid-scroll:
The Lighthouse Principle.
The concept is simple and profound: A lighthouse doesn't chase ships. It stands firm, provides guidance, and those who need it know exactly where to look. Those who ignore it crash on the rocks. As someone who's spent decades in business leadership and now runs Three Degrees Consulting, this metaphor resonated deeply. Not just because of my background, but because it perfectly captures what I believe about effective consulting—and effective business leadership in general.
Many businesses have a “Chasing” Strategy
Let's be honest: there's immense pressure in business to chase. Chase leads. Chase trends. Chase attention on social media. Chase every potential person who might, possibly, maybe need your services. The result? Exhaustion, diluted messaging, and often working with people who aren't really a good fit—people who hired you or purchased from you, because you were persistent, not because they truly valued what you bring to the table.
I've seen this in 30+ years of business experience, from leading teams in large public companies to working with private businesses across manufacturing, services, and beyond. The businesses that succeed aren't the ones frantically chasing every opportunity. They're the ones that establish clear positioning and become the known resource in their space.
What Makes a Lighthouse Effective?
1. It's Built on Solid Ground: A lighthouse isn't floating around hoping to be in the right place at the right time. It's anchored on a strategic position—usually marking real dangers that aren't going anywhere. For consultants and business leaders, this means having deep expertise, proven methodologies, and real value to offer. You can't be a lighthouse if you're built on sand.
2. It Provides Consistent, Reliable Guidance: The light doesn't flicker on and off based on whether ships are paying attention. It rotates steadily, predictably, doing its job whether anyone is watching or not. In business terms, this means showing up consistently—through content, networking, thought leadership, and delivering exceptional results for those you do work with. Your reputation becomes your beacon.
3. It Lets Captains Make Their Own Decisions: Here's the crucial part: the lighthouse doesn't force anyone to follow its guidance. It simply illuminates what's there. Ships, like businesses, can heed the warning or ignore it. That's their choice. As a consultant, I can show you the strategic challenges ahead, the operational inefficiencies costing you money, the need to prepare for industry changes. But I can't chase you down to convince you that you need help.
4. It's There When You Need It
The most important characteristic? When a ship does need guidance—when the waters get rough, visibility drops, or the stakes are high—the lighthouse is exactly where it's always been…
