Leadership Quote: If We Only Focus On Fixing What's Wrong…

 

This month’s leadership quote:

“If we only focus on fixing what’s wrong, we forget to notice and build what is good and strong.”

-Rebecca Wilkinson

So often in our quest to be better, both as people and in our companies, we forget this advice. No question, sometimes fixing is what is required, technology becomes outdated, systems break down, etc.

And many times, the best approach is first to notice what is good and strong and then work to build upon it. Or as I am fond of saying, “discover both our’s and our company’s genius and then work to become excellent at what we are already good at.”

Next time, you make the list of what needs fixing, perhaps draw a line and then make a list of what is good and needs building.

Elisa K. Spain

Attitude Is What Matters (Even With The Economy)

 

When I watched this Brian Westbury video, The Triple Mandate, I was struck by the fact that several years into the current recovery, many business owners and investors are still worried. Understandable. The Great Recession took its toll on both our economy and our psyche.  The memory, while distant, is still fresh.

Yet, what struck me listening to Brian’s view about gradually rising rates, and an undervalued stock market; in short, his optimistic view, was how many business owners and investors, relying on emotion, may be missing opportunities.

Some questions to consider:

  • When has your attitude, either optimistic or pessimistic, caused you to miss an opportunity? Or conversely, saved you from a loss?
  • When making investment decisions, when do you follow the data vs. rely on your instinct?
  • Is the answer to question 1 different when it comes to making investments in your business (either human capital or equipment) vs. investments in securities?

 

Elisa K. Spain

Vistage CEO Confidence Index: Optimism Among Small Firms At Highest Level In 3 Years In Q1 2015

 

The quarterly Vistage Confidence Index is now available.CI-graph-q115-280

Confidence among CEOs has remained higher for a longer period than at any other time in the past ten years, according to a survey of 1,541 small- to mid-sized business owners. The survey, which took place from March 9 to March 18, 2015, provides a clear snapshot of current economic, market and industry trends.

The Vistage Confidence Index was 105.8 in the 1st quarter of 2015, between the 107.5 in the 4th quarter and 101.3 in the 1st quarter of 2014. The recent survey represented the eighth consecutive year-to-year increase, a new record for the persistence of optimism. The small 1st quarter loss involved all components, although none registered a significant decline. The stability in CEOs’ confidence stands in sharp contrast to the slowdown in the pace of economic growth at year-end, which has persisted into the 1st quarter of 2015.

Below are some key highlights from the Q1 2015 Vistage CEO Confidence Index (all members surveyed):

  • 61% of CEOs said the economy has improved in the past year – the third highest level
    since the start of 2005.
  • 45% of CEOs expect the economy to improve in the next year, well above last year’s 37%.
  • 36% of CEOs said that locating, hiring, training, and retaining staff was the most significant
    business issue they are currently facing.
  • 48% of CEOs plan to increase investments in new plant and equipment, and CEOs expressed
    the most expansive investment plans during the past four quarters that any other time since 2006.
  • 77% of CEOs expect their revenues to increase in the year ahead, unchanged from last
    quarter and above last year’s 74%.

Elisa K. Spain

Words Matter Part II

 

A few weeks ago, my post “Words Matter“, generated several responses. One reader reminded me, like with everything, there is another side. The side of being too politically correct. The place where we so carefully script our words that we lose any sense of real communication.

What to do? On the one hand, increasingly we hear words of hate and intolerance, on the other, more and more we hear words that are so crafted they don’t mean anything. How do we reconcile these two opposing trends in our society?

I wonder if the common theme between the two is a lack of authenticity? And…

  • If fear is what is truly present, rather than intolerance, how do we express this authentically?
  • Is it possible to be authentic and at the same time express tolerance of differences?
  • Is it possible to be authentic and be kind in the words and tone we choose?
  • Is it possible to express our fears and concerns while being open to hearing someone else’s truth?

 

Elisa K. Spain