confidence and motivate people, or,,. How to not succeed in business

These two headlines are interchangeable. Of course, we have the opposite task as managers or salespeople, and perhaps at times many of us do not do a very goodjob at it.

In light of what is happening in the economy and perhaps in our own private lives, it is hard not to give in to the environment around us. Certainly there's good reason to not feel happy right now. I don't know about you, but I am fed up with taking the negativity pills. It is time to start taking the happy pills again. Yes, there are going to be some withdrawal symptoms for a little while, but it is time we all start talking it up again, instead of staring at and talking to our feet (much easier, of course, if I could see over my belly). I want to be happy again! I am not going to take it anymore!

Now is the time that to stop showing indecision and uncertainty. We must start leading again and drag everyone else with us even if they are kicking and screaming. We have to change the sentiment in this country to one of positive outcomes versus the negative outcomes of the recent past.

There has not been a better story over the last months than that of Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, the pilot who ditched his US Airways plane into the Hudson. I was in a hotel room that day and watched as the story unfolded. What a tremendous act of skill and leadership. I have listened over and over again to the voice recording with the pilot calmly going through his options and his instant decision to ditch his plane. I cannot believe anyone could stay as calm as he did, and when you ask him now, it is clear he believed that he could land the plane safely when all odds defied that logic.

His "can do" philosophy is one that we all need to adopt. I have the utmost respect for this pilot and if ever skill and training came in to play, it was that day. Do you think there is any passenger who would pass on flying with him? And it is the same for good managers. Bad managers are a dime a dozen,but good ones will be followed.

There is absolutely nothing to be gained from acting indecisive and with uncertainty. While deep down we may be overwhelmed as we struggle to find the right answers we should keep this to ourselves and not make it for public consumption. If we sound tentative, it will just spread to those around us. Most of us have more time than Sully to make decisions. We certainly have more time to get input from others, which can give us increased confidence in our decisions. As we formulate the best plan we have the responsibility to communicate in the most positive terms what actions we are taking, why, and what outcome we anticipate. Most people are not stupid. They know what is going on in the office. They hear the rumors over the water-cooler. They want straight talk and confidence that their leader has thought everything through, understands the path to be taken, and is looking after them-even when such decisions may be difficult for a number of people.

Anything we do has a risk of failure. From crossing the road to flying, there is the possibility something can go wrong. The same is true in business. And when things do go wrong, there will be plenty of blame to go around from the nay-sayers, who, if only they had spent their time trying to make the plan work instead of undermining it, might have generated a different outcome. The more confidence you have, the more confidence others will have in supporting you.

Lastly, the mess we now find ourselves in was created by government policy over a long period. If you are given enough rope, you will hang yourself. So while bank management and investor fraud have certainly played a part, they are not entirely to blame. Government has a role to play in creating an environment of change, but it is going to be business that gets us out of the mess we are in. When doing business becomes a dirty word, the whole fabric of what makes this country great will disintegrate and believe me, we will have a much bigger mess to deal with than we do now. So as I've prescribed, on to the happy pills-with double dosage to start!

Backed by 20 years of proven performance, and a lifetime limited warranty.

Looking for a treated wood product to sell and install with confidence? Choose Preserveo pressure-treated wood, an environmentally advanced copper-and-quaternary (ACO@) system that provides proven, long-term protection from decay and termites.

. Environmentally preferred wood preservative

. US EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

. Lifetime limited warranty

. Proven performance against decay and termites

. AWPA standardized wood preservative and ICC-ES building code approved

Above Ground and Ground Contact applications

Approved for fresh water immersion use

. AVIIPA use: UCl, UC2, UC3A, UC4A, UC4B

. Preserve Pluso with water repellent also available

. For decking, playgrounds, walkways, benches, chairs, fencing and gazebos