A Leader's Job

Letter from Richard S. Lewine, Chairman of Achievement Alliance Corp.

After 30 years of working with leaders of small and mid-size
organizations, one of the many things I've learned is that in times like
our current financial meltdown, the contrast between Leaders and
Managers is clear. Now is the time for Leaders to do their job. To
reassure their people; to articulate a clear Vision; to LEAD!

The world is still functioning. People still NEED food, clothing and
shelter; and they WANT other things. Businesses still need suppliers and
customers. We don't operate in a closed system, isolated from the rest
of the world. The question on the table for us is one of faith and trust.

Our economy, in fact, the world economy is built on these two qualities.
As a buyer of products and services, do you have faith in the ability
of your suppliers to deliver as promised? As a seller, do you trust your
customer enough to extend credit for payment later? If you don't believe
that one or both of these conditions exist then cash in your chips and
call it a day.

On the other hand, if you are committed to maintaining your enterprise,
to perpetuating it, then you must believe these conditions exist. The
challenge is to ferret out those that agree with you and together, keep
the wheels of business turning. This is what Leadership is about.
Setting the tone, inspiring, facing the obstacles and roadblocks of
reality and tapping your organizational resources, your people, for
potential solutions.

I believe we have an obligation to "keep on keepin' on." Free enterprise
is about taking risks. It's about converting dreams into reality. it's
about setting realistic goals that people can get their arms and heads
around and buy into. It's about supporting your people's efforts at
achievement and acknowledging their performance.

Yes, I'm "waving the flag".  That's a leader's job!