I think it is an understatement to say that we are living in uncertain times.  Each time I turn on the news, there is more bad news about our economy and turmoil abroad.

So, as a leader, what do you do during these times to keep people inspired and moving in the direction of profitability and sustainability?  These 5 strategies will help to get you started.

1) Challenge your historical models. If you are leading or managing your business using leadership models or measurement tactics used in the past, you are probably missing a huge part of the bigger picture.  Uncertain times show us that we are moving into a new economy/new world.  New times call for new leadership models and new ways of measuring results.

One Step: Get brushed up on how to lead a virtual team.  With virtual teams, you have to assume that the way you lead in a traditional work environment just won’t work.  You must be willing to mega communicate, form allies across borders and learn how to get people who work independently to work as a unified team.

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Chuck Todd and Sheldon Gawiser have recently published a book How Barack Obama Won: A State-by-State Guide to the Historic 2008 Presidential Election.  I have read a few excerpts and have listened to Todd interviewed on the subject, and I believe this is a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to lead AND market.

Reason 1: On Morning Joe this a.m., Todd pointed out how important speeches were, are and will be to President Obama.  His oratory skills are outstanding and compelling.  He uses every chance he can to sell the public on his position, and he clearly states his position with poise, charisma and strength.  His intelligence and polish are impressive.  Many pundits are arguing that the President is not winning in the “bubble” on Capitol Hill but that he is still winning with the public, and for our confidence as a nation, this matters, and it matters in a very big way!  Now his big challenge is to win with Congress.

Reason 2: Is Obama still in politicing mode?  You bet he is!  He has some major initiatives on his plate (the economy, pulling out of Iraq).  If a Presdient can’t go out and get the votes needed in Congress to get the job done, then you may as well hang it up.   Just as in politics, in business and leadership, you don’t stop campaigning…you do all in your will and power to get people on board.

Reason 3: President Obama is appealing to the intellect of the American people.  He is talking straight from the hip, lets us know that he is fully aware that we all know we are in the midst of a major recession and that we have to act swiftly to take action to turn things around.  Many leaders will try to paint a rosy picture, and I am just not hearing this from Obama.

Reason 4: President Obama is using is his audacity of hope approach.  He is staying hopeful, using optimism and reminding us all that we’ve been in this situation before and came out stronger on the other end.

If you are a business owner or a leader in any position, I would recommend that you begin studying why Obama won and how he is continuing to be popular with the public.  I am certain you will gain a few insights into how to apply his skills in the direction of your own leadership.

Here is his speech from last night to Congress.  Watch this and see what you can learn.

Today Robert Renteria is the Co-Founder of WashPro USA, but spent his infancy sleeping in a chest of drawers in a one room bachelor apartment in East L.A. Robert Renteria is a man who has devoted his life to people who need a break; who takes their hands and shows them how to get out of the armpit of our barrios and ghettos and break the cycle of poverty. Listen below to this special Y Talk interview as we speak with Robert about how he is changing lives and his groundbreaking book From the Barrio to the Boardroom.

Note: If you are an educator, principal, parent, community or corporate leader, I highly recommend that you buy this book by the truckload for your school, community, Boys and Girls Club or local organization. It is truly inspiring and gives hope and inspiration to those young men and women who think they don’t have a chance in life!

 

 Robert Renteria: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Article writing has been one of my most favorite tools, and Marnie Pehrson is the woman who showed me how to do this. She owns the most effective article marketing site on the internet: Idea Marketers.com. You don’t want to miss this special interview with Marnie to learn the ins and outs of article marketing. She’s AMAZING! She is also one of those people who gets a LOT done in a day. You can learn her secrets from her e-book: How to Get More Done in a Day Than Most Accomplish in A Week. And…if you have not started writing and submitting articles online, I encourage you to start it today with IdeaMarketers. Your visibility will triple in the process!

About Marnie:

Marnie Pehrson is a mother of six, the creator of nineteen web sites including the longest running article directory on the Web, IdeaMarketers.com, which contains over 310,000 articles and serves over 35,000 writers. Marnie’s also the author of 20 fiction and nonfiction titles. Whether she’s writing a novel that spotlights individuals who’ve made a difference in the world or helping a talented entrepreneur create a platform for his life’s work Marnie’s life is about underscoring truth and talent in innovative and compelling ways. You may visit her projects at www.pwgroup.com

 

 Marnie [27:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Podcast: Living in the Hot Zone: Seven Edge Strategies for Modern Day Teams with Tom Heck of Teach Me Teamwork

Date: One Wednesday, July 23, 2008 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern

Led by Bea Fields and Tom Heck, Founder of Teach Me Teamwork

We are living in one of the most radical times in the history of business, and radical times call for radical leadership. Teams are now living in the “hot zone”, that place in business where risk, fear, doubt, pressure, uncertainty and change can get the best of the most savvy leaders. During this special podcast, Bea Fields talks with Tom Heck of Teach Me Teamwork about the critical strategies teams of today need in order to not just survive but thrive in the business world.

And…while you are reading about Tom, be sure to download a copy of his great e-book: Team Activities on a Shoestring (is great…I have a copy, and all you need to run the games in the e-book is a shoestring!)

Listen to the audio below

 

 Standard Podcast [68:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download