Embrace the Tiger, a mindset for leaders in a climate of uncertainty

The diaries written in the world economy today filled with twists and turns it seems is keeping everyone off balance. Small business owners, the source for much of our recovery are spinning from the spike in costs of goods sold and distribution that is eating away at margins erratically. I personally liked it better when I was looking at the world news only for the next travel I wanted to make. Not turned upside down and creating havoc as we rely on so many other countries for our products goods and services. We want to see a plan that shows a path through the mess and someone at the helm that ensures the implementation and execution of the plan for success. When the seas are the stormiest, that is when the navigation needs to be the best. Right now success is in a different place that is possible through engagement of every player playing every play. Vital conversations are required to be timely and specific from every person who represents management and leadership. If your people are doing well they need timely reinforcement and if not redirection. Success will most probably depend on the awkward conversations done well addressing head-on the requirements for every leader to inform, inspire, and require smarter ways for every person in every job to contribute. If someone is not performing act on that immediately, if someone is doing well do not miss the gift you can give to reinforce his or her best foot forward. In strong leadership, the difference is almost never vast and wide, it is small and narrow between doing well and exceptional. You Embrace the Tiger when you are bold and determine what it takes to identify how to make things happen, initiate a strategy then get buy in to make it work. Choose the right conversation and do not stop until the plan is working. We cannot do what we have to do with counting on people working harder and longer. Leaders have to bring out their peoples best by providing the environment that encourages, collaboration, corroboration and still allows individual efforts to rewards. Most people want to do well; I have never interviewed a candidate who told me up front I want to do a lousy job! Give me this job and in 90days I will have things so screwed up it will take you 6 months to recover. They usually start out to do well then will give their best if allowed. Strong leadership can ensure the best efforts if your people are properly matched for the position led by a strong leader. Remember only mediocre people are at their best all the time.