We are now well into 2009 and what could possibly be the worst economic downturn that the world has experienced. It seems almost every day we hear of another bank, investment corporation, company or business that is in financial trouble. These same organizations are restructuring, downsizing, laying off, seeking government bailouts and/or entering into bankruptcy protection. The media reports suggest and imply that these corporate failures are because of the economy. Not surprisingly, these reports are used to bolster the negative economic news of the day in order to sell more newspapers and keep the electronic news media as captivating as possible. A lack of knowledge and awareness is what allows these negative reports to take root in us.
When we are properly informed, we can rightly discern and understand the reports of corporate challenges and failures due to the economy, reducing the atmosphere of anxiety that exists today. The fact is that these business failures, with only few exceptions, are not the result of the current economic realities, but are actually the outcome of decisions made within those organizations, months, years and sometimes, even decades prior to the current time. These troubled corporations make up only a minuscule fraction of all the businesses, companies and organizations that exist. The reality is that the vast majority of businesses continue to operate with very little problems or turmoil despite the economy around them. Certainly some experience a softening of the results, but these temporary "blips on the radar" do not cripple and ruin them. The economic downturn has only exposed the feeble, weak and poorly operated organizations in the same way that a disease strain in a herd of animals takes the sick and weak as its victims. It is certainly easier for these troubled companies to blame the economy for their problems, but in most cases is not reality.
This is not the first recession and will not likely be the last. Businesses will continue to fail regardless of the state of the economy while at the same time others will thrive. We need to uncover the reasons behind these successes and failures.
Fortunately, we can learn from history – from the mistakes and achievements of others. We can avoid the pitfalls that have caused others to fail and can leverage good habits, practices and strategies that have been utilized by others to succeed. The outcomes that we see – both positive and negative - are directly the result, or consequence, of the leadership.
Copyright 2009: Excerpt from "Consequence of Leadership" by Craig Mostat published by Lulu.com
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