Happy Jack

Embrace your future with the tenacity of a bulldog.

What can be more disappointing than highly talented people who sell themselves short? 

The financial crisis is putting even the most talented and successful people at risk of questioning themselves and their ability.  People sell themselves short when they surrender personal responsibility for their life, career and future. 

Help your people build self-confidence and a positive outlook.  Inspire them to look within themselves for direction, not to the organization they work for.  Adversity presents you with the opportunity to discover how capable you are.  The opportunity to venture into new areas of interest and personal development.

Apply these 7 bulldog traits and continue your success during this financial crisis.

1.  Strong and Tenacious.  Struggle produces strength.  As a parent, I want to protect my children from difficulty and disappointment.  Many leaders and managers feel the same way toward their people.  But we know that isolating those we care about from real world challenges will stunt their development.

2.  Show dominance.  When you feel like avoiding the difficult task or throwing in the towel, do just the opposite.  There is a time to step up and take charge of events in your life.  Now is the time to take charge of your finances and your career.  Refuse to be a victim. (more…)

Edward Liddy, CEO, AIG

Trust is so low in America that it’s hard to trust whether or not the outrage of politicians over the AIG bonuses can be trusted. 

I’m thinking the one leader emerging through this whole ordeal is Edward Liddy, AIG’s CEO. 

At least Mr. Liddy is standing up and trying to explain the complexity of his task to save AIG so that we, the taxpayers, have a shot at getting our money back.  I appreciate his courage, candor and patience in explaining both the importance of retaining key talent to ensure success and for protecting the identities of those who received the bonuses.  This is the beginning of the trust-building process.  I believe that Liddy is off to a good start and I hope he will stay the course. 

Maybe I’m too cynical, but I thought all the politicians racing to microphones claiming “outrage” over the AIG bonuses looked ridiculous.  It appeared they were running for cover after failing to lead, past and present.   

Restoring trust must be the top priority of every leader today.  Whether you lead a large multi-national firm or a local civic group, being trustworthy is what your constituency needs from you.  Make no mistake, building trust will take a long time, but you can conduct yourself and the affairs of your organization to not destroy trust.  So, let’s start with building on the trust account we currently have and commit to avoiding those actions that diminish it.

Here are five key things that will destroy trust quickly…

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Max DePree

One thing is for sure, leaders no longer have to fabricate crisis to drive change.

But the question is, how will this change  Corporate America is experiencing impact our free market system?

Several years ago, I interviewed Max DePree, then chairman of the Herman Miller company.  In that interview, Max said, “Leaders can’t avoid being accountable for the future.”  This is important because there are certain things only the leader can do. 

Considering the historic changes that are being made, the increasing role of government in business and the potential impact on our free market system, I have decided to share that interview with you.  You will find it relevant for today and instructive on the leaders responsibility during this defining period in American business. 

Did you see the Free Audio Interview button in the top right corner of this page?  If you have 24 minutes, click and listen to our conversation now.  Or, you can download and listen later.  Don’t miss it!

Leaders in every segment of our society are accountable for the promises they make.  Their promises have a direct impact on the future of capitalism, individual liberty and the common good.  You will hear in my interview with Max, a question to which every leader owes their constituents an answer.  That question is, “What am I going to promise to this organization and am I going to keep my promises?” 

America is facing a crisis in leadership today.  We have plenty of people in leadership roles, but will they lead?  More importantly, will they lead in a manner that balances individual liberty with common good?  Our free enterprise system is at risk from decades of leaders who were self-serving and who diminished the important trust they were given.  This is true in politics, education, media, as well as business; although corporate leaders appear to be the scapegoats at this point in time. 

Trust takes a long time to build and it has to be built on the right premises.  It requires leaders who are given to the daily task of keeping their promises and being personally trustworthy in their attitudes and practices.  Leaders who value the free market system and commit to making it better and stronger.

What do you think leaders owe their constituents?  What promises should they make for ensuring the future of capitalism?  Share your thoughts and observations before you go.