A Right Sized Attitude in a Downsized Market
Part 4
By Valarie D. Willis

There are five key attitudes that leaders should possess to survive this downturn and downsized market. Today's down economy gives every leader the opportunity to display a new sense of courage, a new sense of innovation, and a new sense of creativity within their work environment.

The Right Sized Attitude - Part 1

The Right Sized Attitude - Part 2

The Right Sized Attitude - Part 3

Leaders need to have courage. They need to have the courage to make the tough choices and to not allow status quo to creep in.

The very processes that worked well for leaders just a year ago may not be working well for them now. Instead of trying to hold on to the way that it has always been done, or the traditions of the organization, the leader needs to have the courage to make the necessary changes.

Many people tell me in my leadership sessions that they have so many rules and regulations or that the people above them will not allow them to make changes or they do not have power to make changes and therefore they do not. Some leaders don't want to 'rock the boat.' Here's a newsflash, the boat has been rocked, tossed and overturned!

I disagree with the individuals that tell me they cannot affect change in their organization. Many people associate change with something that is broad and sweeping across the organization. So, from that perspective, then maybe it is true, they cannot make impactful changes.

However, most leaders can look at their part of the organization and ask themselves what needs to change. My belief is that leaders should focus on making changes in their area of influence.

It is impossible to survive tough economic times with our heads buried in the sand or by saying we will just hold on until things get better. Leaders make things better, not wait for times to get better.

It takes courage to know that you will be met with opposition all along the way when you want to change something. Therefore, it is important that you believe in what you are doing and have clear expectations.

Enlist the help of others to achieve the goals, then they will fuel your courage to keep moving ahead.