It's been said that those organizations that manage information, manage the market. Yet it's people that control the flow of meaningful information and intelligence, not systems and technologies. Technologies are simply the conduits through which the data move. Where it resides and the impact it has, still requires human intervention and action.

Successful businesses are adept at mastering the variables. They can recognize 'value' in information and are able therefore to act on the right cues. Effective business leadership is pivoted on achieving mastery of the optimal ways in which the variables could relate.

The great chess teacher, Bruce Pandolfini, describes the quintessential skills required for this mastery. In his book, "The ABCs of Chess: Invaluable, Detailed Lessons for Players at all Levels" (Fireside Books, 1986), he outlines ten rules for success at chess which could be applied directly to any business.

In my opinion, the five most obvious of these are:

• If you see a good idea, look for a better one before you act.

The inference isn't just continuous improvement, but also that strategy is built slowly and carefully, all possible outcomes being under full control, before it is made apparent to others.

• To win big, you need to think differently.

This means playing at the leading edge of the rules, and even beyond them when necessary. Keep the opposition in a state of surprise, and even off-balance as you keep moving forward.

• Small advantages produce big results.

Success is best achieved by adding and exploiting many small advantages rather than waiting for large opportunities. It also indicates that every event and decision needs clear purpose and focused direction.

• Mind games are an important part of the game.

How you perceive others and how they perceive you creates the 'reality' of events and directs any decisions being made. Become adept at reading people; this is best accomplished by focusing on their eyes •

• Never let them see you sweat! Self confidence is key.

Great chess players may question a move but never themselves. Always have the confidence of knowing that the game is not over until it's finished. As Sir Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never give up!"

Underlying this undisputable wisdom are two main concepts. Success is a factor of your ability to read others, and also your ability to understand yourself. It couldn't be clearer.

So, what does this mean in terms of a business leadership strategy?

Firstly, we need to think BIG, and this will require harnessing the willing minds of others. Don't sell your ideas to others - it's hard work and not always feasible. Instead, plant ideas in others and allow them to cultivate and nurture them so their fruitfulness is multiplied.

Next, recognize that the role of the leader is to focus the desires of others and make them a reality. Use your skills and abilities, whatever they may be, to bring the contributions of others to the surface where they will be useful. This way others feel good about themselves, you are a great person and, most important, the job gets done better than any single person could have done it alone.

We also need to think FAST. Today's opportunities arrive with increasing rapidity and pass by at the same speed. Someone has to be there, alert to the possibilities in time to take effective action - and it can't always be you. Have crystal clear objectives shared among all your people so they think and act as one.

Finally, we have to think DIFFERENTLY. There's greater strength in bundling smaller sticks together than in using one thicker one. The Kray Computer was built by harnessing many smaller computers together, not by building one megalithic device. Harness the minds of people around you by taking the role of the 'operating program'.

Don't be a 'governor', be a 'facilitator'. Create success involving others and you will have earned their loyalty and appreciation beyond any recognition you might attain through simply being the originator of the 'great idea'.

Need some mental limbering-up exercises? Visit the Andros archives at http://www.andros.org/intouch/strat_thinker_quest.pdf .

Summer's such a good season for thinking, don't you think?

Think cool!