LEADERSHIP: AVOID NEW YEAR'S IRRESOLUTION

Every year's different. But, 2009 looks like being really different. For many, the most challenging year ever. So, let's cut to the chase: as you return to work, which of your stakeholders is most frightened - in relation to their dealings with you and your business? Is it customers, employees, suppliers or, perhaps, your bankers? And, what are you going to do to ensure they don't abandon you?

Here's one alternative. Take a piece of paper and work through some simple steps:

1. List your key stakeholders - by category and name;
2. Prioritise them in terms of criticality to your business;
3. List their likely concerns about your business (or your area of it), and your role as leader;
4. Define what you must do to give them confidence, so they'll support your plans and not take their custom, support, service or funding elsewhere?

Making notes is a always good. However, to be more thorough (not a bad idea at present!), why not develop a Leadership Action Plan? And, our V|E|C|T|O|R framework can help you. It provides sample questions stakeholders need answered, if they're going to trust and support you. And, actions you may need to take: some of which may be technical or market-focused; others related to people and culture. And, at each step, you'll be offered resource material and ideas to assist your thinking.

Certainly beats working alone, and on paper! And, you end up with a one-page, printable plan, which can be emailed to key colleagues to get their input. Always good for building involvement and support!

As 2009 begins, many people will return to work fearful and uncertain. Still numb from the avalanche of depressing news and statistics from the last months of 2008. Don't be one of them. Carpe diem! Don't become a statistic yourself.

Those, who have the courage to plan properly - and be resolute in January - have the best chance of success as the year goes on. Come to think of it: there's nothing wrong with being a statistic - so long as the ink is black, not red.

Categories for this Potshot:

GFC Potshots, Understanding V|E|C|T|O|R, Define goals and outcomes, Develop plans and actions lists, Prepare for external shocks, Attend to customers, Engage people, Drive strategic rethink, Embed innovation, Re-jig priorities,

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