A Time for Leadership…

♫ So you want to be a leader
See how high you can climb
If you want to be a leader
It takes guts and sweat and time

Can you take it on your shoulders
Be proud and strong and free
Can you look them in the eye and say
Come this way follow me…♫

Words and music by ImprovAndy

Winston Churchill once said: “We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.” These are dark days and the gloom is growing darker. Economies are faltering world-wide, industries and corporations are looking for bailouts and individuals are seeing their retirement funds dwindle. Moreover, those same individuals who may be wondering if they have a job tomorrow are the same ones who will be paying for any bailouts by way of future taxes.

Is there cause for optimism? More importantly, do we see the types of leaders coming forth in politics, in industry and in social organizations with vision and energy that will roll up their shirt sleeves and inspire, encourage and motivate individuals, organizations, industries and countries to do what must be done?

Speaking personally I am not encouraged by executives flying in corporate jets to political capitals requesting handouts. A fundamental change must occur in terms of individually and collectively living within our means. Law firms have faltered and some have failed where the underlying capitalization has not been sufficient to survive the latest in economic shocks. DLA Piper is eliminating income partners and becoming a 1-tier partnership.

Perhaps the reforms in England and Australia in terms of allowing public ownership of law firms will provide these firms with greater resiliency than partner-financed firms in similar downturns. But then again, perhaps not.

i do think that the firms that will survive and perhaps thrive, in and coming out from under this recession will be those who have a strong management structure lead by an exceptional leader. Each of these firms will be pulling through these hard times as a team, knowing that the firm has a vision for where it is going. The leader will speaking to all, encouraging that vision and placing each individual within the overall plan and communicating not only why they need to do what needs to be done, but how each person fits within that overall picture. The job of the leader is to inspire – and to set a proper example – not by taking a corporate jet off looking for funds, but by saying to all, as did Winston Churchill: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

That kind of leader can’t be bought. But they can certainly can be found – and the sooner these days, the better.