You probably know this about me by now, but my “happy place” is my summer cottage. My wife and I purchased it just about a year ago and have been renovating it ever since. It’s taken a lot of time and plenty of hard work, but we’re finally at a point where it’s starting to feel complete.

While renovating the cottage certainly took a lot of physical energy, I couldn’t have been done without the right tools. I needed a miter saw and nail gun to cut and install all of the finishing work around doors, windows and floor. To lay all of the tile on the bathroom floor and shower, I needed a tile cutter. To refinish the hardwood floor in the bedroom, I had to rent an orbital sander. I went to YouTube for help installing doors, ceiling fans, and cork flooring. In the end, we wouldn’t have been able to create the space we envisioned if we hadn’t utilized the right set of tools.

The same goes for business. You can be the most passionate, hands-on leader, but without the right tools, you’re not going to be able to reach the highest possible level of growth. Sometimes, if you have a really talented technologist on staff, you can build your own tools like an internal management system or a custom office schedule. But most of the time, you’re going to need to license that software from a company that really knows what they’re doing – much like renting a floor stripper or a carpet cleaner from Lowes.

Although licensing software can make a dent in your budget, it often pays off in the long run. The right technology can transform an organization by making it more efficient and transparent. As a confident, visionary leader it’s important that you welcome the help that technology can bring the organization and motivate your staff to embrace it.