As I write this in April 2009, many would say we are living in tough, uncertain economic times.

Watching, listening to or reading the news you will "know" that new layoffs are announced every day, a shaky stock market is followed more closely than ever, and uncertainties seem to be everywhere.

This article is written to address this current situation, but the lessons apply to any challenging time you and your organization may be facing - whether global, local or company specific.

Whenever and for whatever reason times might be tough, consider these five specific things you can do to create better results for yourself, those you lead and your organization as a whole.

Focus on what's in your control. The news media feeds us what they know we really want to hear - DRAMA. What is better drama than talking about the real life situations of the larger economy and how people are being impacted? Consider these three factors, simply as examples:

• National unemployment is rising.
  
• Banks are in upheaval.
  
• Venerable American car companies are in big trouble.
  

Now, two questions.

1. Is there an immediate and direct impact of any of these things on you and your business? (Likely not unless you are in the automotive or banking businesses or perhaps sell to those industries.)


2. Whatever the impact, what can you actually do with that information? In most cases not much, so the best thing to do is STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. But you can also think proactively, think creatively and think accountably. Ask yourself and your team, OK, what can we do about this situation? How can we influence or control the results these things will have on us?
   

As a leader it's your role to help people focus on what is in the person's or team's control. When you do, you become more proactive and less focused on what is going on "out there."

Engage top talent. If times are tough, you may not have much attrition; your people may not be looking to move somewhere else. If that's true, it can be easy to take people for granted or rest on your laurels. Don't do it. The economic conditions will change, and when they do it is your top talent that will be most desirable and most open to making a change. Use the current situation as a chance to develop and engage your organization - in projects, problem solving and development of all kinds. When people are fully engaged they are less likely to leave. Keep your focus on engaging your organization - especially your top talent - in tough times.

Communicate goals and vision. When things seem uncertain or challenging it's especially important to focus people on the big picture. Does your team see the vision for the future? Do your people know the most important and meaningful organizational goals? As a leader it's your responsibility to make sure the answer to those questions is YES. Spend more time communicating, sharing and engaging people in your picture of the future and their place in it. Not only will it help people see past today, but it will focus them on something positive and helpful.

Expect good results. Refuse to allow people to become victims of the environment. Your industry will be off by 20% you say? That doesn't mean your sales have to be off that much. Challenge people to do more, and to do things differently. While you shouldn't deny the current environment, you shouldn't accept it as fact either. Expect the best of your people, provide them the support and encouragement they need, and help them succeed. It starts with your expectations.

Model the right attitude. The attitude and mindset you bring to work is incredibly important, but never more so than in tough or challenging times. Fill your mind with ideas and thoughts that help you maintain an upbeat attitude and a positive mood and frame of reference. Do whatever it takes to maintain that attitude for yourself, knowing that your attitude is contagious.

All of these things are great leadership activities anytime - even when things are great - but they become particularly important in tougher times. The underlying point here is that as a leader you must focus on the results you want, regardless of the situation you find yourself in.

It's your responsibility to provide that focus - first for yourself, and then for those you lead.

Potential Pointer: As a leader you want people to follow you in a manner, and direction, that produces great results; especially in tough times. To do that you must recognize your role in helping people focus on what they can control to get the results you desire.

I met Rajesh Setty about 18 months ago. I found him to be interesting, smart and, most definitely, upbeat. I share that as a preamble for two reasons: to let you know this book is written by someone who practices what he preaches, and to let you know I picked up this book expecting it to be good.

I wasn't disappointed.

While packaged in book form, this sized-to-put-in-your-back-pocket, 96-page book could almost be called a pamphlet. It proves that while brevity may be the soul of wit, it also can be a precursor to wisdom.

This book helps anyone struggling with tough times see practical reasons to be upbeat. It will also, as importantly, give you specific ways to be more upbeat.

While clearly written with the current economic situation in mind, it applies universally. Not only does it work in any time, but it works for anyone.

Read it as a leader; read it as a parent; read it as an investor; read it as a student.

The writing style is easy to follow and enjoyable to read. You can read it in brief moments standing in line or read the whole thing before going to bed (as I did).

Buy a copy for yourself, and perhaps everyone on your team (bulk order information is available inside the book itself).

It will help you do what the subtitle promises - cultivate an attitude to thrive in tough times.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.

I don't know how spring cleaning became a tradition, and I know that phrase means different things to different people. And while some of that cleaning could take place at any time of the year (and often does), there's just something about the spring to help you think about airing things out and fluffing things up for the coming months of growth.

While this makes sense for homes, it makes at least as much sense for lives. Your year is starting to heat up and there are many opportunities, you also may feel like you're coming out of a long winter mentally . . . so it's time.

It's time for some personal spring cleaning.

Here are five things you can do to prepare yourself for better results the rest of the year!

Straighten up your working area. For the same reason you clean your garage and scrub up the areas in your home that you haven't done in awhile, it's important to do the same for you work area. Does your desk currently help or hinder your efforts to do your best work and have your best focus? Do you have books or other items that aren't where they could or should be? Are you behind on your filing, or is it time to go through your filing system? This is purposefully the least metaphorical on the list - since it really is cleaning! I challenge you (and myself) to take the time to do it - if not today, at least this week - not because it's the right thing to do or even for aesthetic reasons, but because it will dramatically improve your creativity and productivity.

Fertilize your relationships. You fertilize your lawn in the spring to encourage growth and nurture the development of strong grass plants. Now is the time to reinvigorate your relationships in the same way. Take a look at the important relationships in your life. Determine what you can do to nurture and help them grow in the coming weeks. And remember it isn't enough just to buy the fertilizer - it won't help your grass sitting in the bag! In the same way, you must make the call, schedule the meal, invite people over or do whatever you need to to nurture your relationships.

Dust off your reading list. Spring cleaning almost always includes some sort of attention to those corners and nooks that haven't seen much activity - and frankly need some dusting! How's your bookshelf looking these days? If you have the books you want to read, dust off your stack, pick one up and get started! If you don't, dust off your Amazon account, find your library card or get yourself to your favorite book seller and get at it!

Freshen up your goals and objectives. In the spring you probably open the windows and let the air blow through the house to freshen up the curtains, sheets and clear the air. You need to do the same thing with your goals. Open your eyes and look at your goals in a new way! This is more than just reviewing your goals (you're already doing that regularly, right?); this is looking at them with the perspective of the year so far. How are you doing? Do you want/need to adjust things based on your current reality? Have new priorities popped up that you didn't predict at the beginning of the year? These are the types of questions that will help you refresh and reinvigorate your goals - and your outcomes for the year.

Clean up your habits. Most spring cleaning includes closets. At some point you look at your clothes, decide which ones to keep, which ones to get rid of. You pull out your summer clothes and make sure everything fits and you have everything you want in your closet for the coming months. If you're like me, the rest of the year you don't really think too much about your closet. You look in and pull out clothes, without thinking much about the closet. It's the same with your habits. Since they are subconscious, it makes sense to purposefully look at your habits occasionally to decide which ones are working for you, which are serving your needs, and which ones you may have outgrown. You won't find new habits at the mall, but you can change your habit “wardrobe” in a conscious way too.

Of course these suggestions can be done at any time of the year - in fact you may want to do them more than once a year. After all, you likely survey your closet more than once a year - and isn't your personal productivity and happiness at least as important as a clean closet?

I know all of these things have been and will be a part of my spring cleaning regimen, and I know when I do them it makes a difference.

Perhaps spring is a good time for this type of cleaning, but it doesn't matter if it's spring or not. The best time is really right now - whenever you may be reading this. These steps will help you clean out the cobwebs in your mind and set your course for greater growth.

Potential Pointer: Most people make time to do spring cleaning in their homes, garages and lawns. For the same reasons, you need to spruce up, polish up and clean up the rest of your life. The calendar doesn't need to dictate when you do this cleaning, but when you do it, your results and enjoyment will improve!

I like Michael J. Fox.

It started with Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, it continued with the Back to the Future movies, and continues today.

Now, as a public figure with Parkinson's Disease (arguably the most well known after Mohammed Ali) and as an advocate for others, I like him more.

His new book may be interesting to you simply because of who Michael is - many, including me, will pick up the book for that reason. However, this book is so much more than an autobiographical group of stories.

He opens the book with this:

The last ten years, which is really the stuff of this book, began with such a loss: my retirement from SpinCity. I found myself struggling with a strange new dynamic: the shifting of public and private personas. I had been Mike the actor, then Mike the actor with PD. Now was I just Mike with PD? Parkinson's had consumed my career and, in a sense, had become my career. But where did all of this leave Me? I had to build a new life when I was already pretty happy with the old one.

He explores the last ten years from the prisms of work, politics, faith and family. As a professional, the first section alone is worth the read.

How many of us can claim hardships or challenges to our working life that rival Parkinson's Disease? I was challenged by this question throughout the book, and inspired by his example.

The book's subtitle proclaims Michael as an Incurable Optimist. When you read this book I'm sure you'll agree that he is. You will also be reminded that being an incurable optimist is a choice.

You will find enjoyment, inspiration, education and challenge in this easy read. Buy a copy and read it for enjoyment, knowing that there is much more there for you - if you want it.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.com

Customer partnership.

Let's pull this phrase apart into the individual words:

Customer. This can be a person or organization who pays for your products and services. These external Customers are who most of consider when we think about Customers. But Customers can also be the person or group you deliver work to. These internal Customers exist for all of us (even if we are in sales!). Customers, whether internal or external, are the most important people in your work.

Partnership. A partnership is an informal sharing of resources and results for the mutual benefit of both groups.

And now the full phrase:

A "Customer partnership" is an informal alliance or agreement that brings Customers and suppliers together in a more holistic way.

Many have a goal of satisfying or perhaps even delighting Customers, but the concept of a partnership moves beyond satisfaction, past delight and even beyond loyalty.

A Customer partnership is a situation where both parties feel they are working together towards goals that are greater and broader than in a "traditional" Customer/provider relationship.

Creating Customer partnerships, with external Customers and/or with internal Customers, pays great dividends. Here are 6 of those benefits:

Reduced cost. When you are in a closer relationship with your Customers and you understand their needs, you often find ways to cut costs for both of you. At a minimum, if you have developed a Customer partnership, there is no longer a need to invest "marketing" resources to maintain the Customer.

Greater speed. A partnership allows you to understand each other's needs better, affords the opportunity to build relationships with the people involved better, and deepens the trust between the groups. All of these lead to greater speed. This speed allows you to meet each other's needs better, create new solutions and, in many cases, can add to further reducing costs.

Higher quality. Better understanding of the needs of your partners, having deeper relationships and better communication all can lead to better quality of products, services and the processes that support the business relationship.

Personalized or customized service. Once you are working more closely with a Customer and really understand their needs, often you can provide services or processes they would never have even considered asking for! This emanates from the deeper understanding and empathy for the Customer's business and situation.

Less complex, easier work. In a partnership, often there are situations when the lines "Customer" and "supplier" are blurred or removed - maybe work processes can be further streamlined or tasks are shifted in time and location or any number of possibilities. The change in definition of the relationship can lead to new synergies and opportunities that might otherwise not have been considered.

Greater meaning. As a leader, you want employees that are committed to, and deeply care about, their work. When people feel more connected to and engaged in their work, they will be happier, healthier, and more successful. One of the best ways to create engagement is for people to see the purpose or meaning in their work. Customer partnerships can create that deeper purpose or meaning. When people begin to know their Customers not by a Customer or invoice number or just as "those people in manufacturing", but as people; when they have spent time with them, gotten to know their work, and like them, the definition of work changes. No longer are people simply processing the work or creating the campaign; they are helping Tom or Jill or working with their partner to help get the work done easier or more effectively.

In short, when we deepen relationships, we create greater meaning as a result.

This last item on the list is perhaps the least quantifiable but the most valuable reason for building Customer partnerships.

Whether your Customers are across the hall or halfway around the world, the effort to create partnerships is worth it. In fact, even if you don't realize benefits from any of the more tangible measures (but you will), the ability of partnerships to help create greater meaning for you and your team is reason enough to consider moving in that direction.

Potential Pointer: Customer satisfaction is a fine goal - but it has limitations. Consider the merits of moving far beyond a satisfied Customer to creating a partnership with them. It will take some effort to create these partnerships, but the benefits far outweigh the efforts required to create them.

How often do you pick up a book just because you like the author - be it Steel or Michener or Salinger or Grisham? Many people are fans of certain writers and want to read whatever they write.

I'm a fan of Mike Robbins.

Mike's first book, Focus on the Good Stuff (about appreciation) was a wonderful book on an overlooked topic. It became a best seller and has continued to sell extremely well over the last two years, justifiably so. (Here's my recommendation ß4.37 if you're interested.)

His latest book, Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken, focuses on authenticity. Mike says "fundamentally, authenticity is about you being you — fully. It's about being yourself — understanding, owning, acknowledging, appreciating and expressing all of who you are — both the light and the dark."

The book is laid out logically and feels like having a great coach beside you on a journey towards finding, valuing and becoming your true self.

The book will challenge you and make you think. Among many other things it will help you:

• Express yourself fully and with confidence


• Confront and transform fear


• Deal with conflicts directly and effectively


• Take risks and go for what you truly want


• Have more freedom and confidence in your work, your relationships and your life

If you read it, really listen to what it's telling you, and take action on the ideas it contains. You will move forward on a path that will make you a better friend, parent and leader - actually, it will help you become a better human being.

Because this is a brand new book, you can take advantage of a wide range of bonuses from people like Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff and me when you buy your copy right now.

Learn more about this special offer when you buy your book today.

But believe me, this is a book you want with or without extra bonuses, but given that incentive, I encourage you to take action now!

You've all heard that on the highway speed kills. When you drive too fast you put yourself at greater risks of both being in an accident and suffering grave results if that accident happens. And yet, most people speed.

Our world seems to thrive on speed: from microwave meals to sound bites to three-day diets to overnight vacations.

We drink Red Bull or espresso, watch TV on our DVRs, and talk on our cell phones while we are doing everything - all in the name of getting a little more done, in a little less time.

And in our businesses and organizations we want more results in less time, trying constantly to find a way to squeeze a bit more productivity out of each day.

This isn't an article suggesting we move back to the "good ol' days," or even a case for slowing everything down.

I want rapid results too. I want to find ways to increase productivity and get more done as much as the next person.

The point of this article may seem counter-intuitive to you because in many cases, you can get better results faster, when you aren't in such a hurry.

As you search individually and collectively for quicker implementation and results, you will serve yourself best knowing when to push down the accelerator and when to let the engine coast - or maybe even apply the brakes.

Here are five times when you might want to rest your right foot just a little:

Speed kills creativity. For most people, creativity isn't like a light switch. So, it's tough when you call a meeting and ask people to share their creative ideas to a problem "right now". Have you ever spent a day or two thinking about a situation - and voila - an idea comes to you in the shower, while you're exercising, getting out or bed or driving your car? You maximize creativity when you allow your subconscious mind to help - and you must allow time for that to happen.

Speed kills problem solving. Teams often meet to solve a problem and, in the interest of efficiency, they move quickly to solution, typically assuming the problem is clear. And yet often the effort ends up addressing a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. More time spent clarifying the problem, and gathering the facts about it, before getting to solution will lead to better results, even if the beginning of the process may seem slower.

Speed kills planning. Most people prefer activity to thinking. And most confuse "activity" with "accomplishment." More planning is short changed, or not done at all, in the name of speed than for any other reason. If your objective is important enough or your project is complex enough, you will always benefit from time spent in planning - even if it feels like you are going too slow in the beginning.

Speed kills change efforts. Speed brings momentum, and momentum is definitely important to change efforts, but speed gets in the way when you assume everyone is on board, everyone knows what the change is and why you are doing it and more. Not everyone will get on board at the same time. Not everyone understands. Slow down. Communicate more. Answer questions. Recognize that some people need more time than others. Do these things and you will improve the results of your change efforts.

Speed kills dialogue. If you want to develop meaningful communication with others, it won't happen in the first meeting. And when it does start to develop, time and space are necessary for the deep communication and understanding that dialogue can create. There is a place for a text message or a quick email. But creating deep communication and meaning won't be created with those technologies alone. Dialogue takes time.

Notice the similarity in all of these instances? It isn't that speed itself kills; it's that speed at the wrong time can cause major problems. The key is timing, and remembering that many times you must go slower to go faster in the end.

The reality is that there's a difference between speed and rushing; between a sense of urgency and hurrying. As a leader and as an individual you must be vigilant to the differences, making sure you are patient enough to use speed wisely.

Potential Pointer: Most people think of speed as a positive thing - something that's often coveted and desired. Even in our 24/7 world where speed is king and rapid results are revered, there is a place for balance, and a need to recognize that paradoxically speed doesn't always get you to your destination in the most effective (or even the fastest) way.

There could be a number of reasons to pick up this book.

Maybe you're a football fan and recognize Tony Dungy as a Super Bowl winning coach. (I am and I do.)

Maybe, more specifically, you are a fan of his Indianapolis Colts and know he has recently retired from coaching and thought it would be interesting to read this book in the wake of his retirement. (I am and I did.)

Maybe you read his previous book Quiet Strength
and have been looking forward to this follow-up. (I did and I was.)

Maybe the title alone was enough - after all who doesn't want to live a life of significance? (It IS a great title!)

Or maybe all the football stuff puts you off, and as a non-fan you're actually thinking this book may not be for you. (Don't be so sure.)

Dungy was a professional football player and a coach so there are football references and occasional commentary, but this is not a book about football, nor do I feel that the as a non-fan you would be put off or left clueless by the references that are included.

This book isn't about football; it is about life. Specifically, it is a book about living a life that has meaning for you - and those around you.

In the introduction, Dungy quotes his college football coach who often told his team, "Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I'm looking for uncommon people."

This quotation surely led to the title, but it serves as a talisman for the entire book.

While the book can be read and enjoyed by everyone, the clear focal audience are men, and the underpinning of the book's messages are rooted in Coach Dungy's strong Christian faith.

Using that foundation he talks in quick reading chapters about a broad ranging set of topics that are in his estimation factors leading to a significant life, from character to friendship to education and powerful thinking to setting priorities and more. There also are chapters on fatherhood, being a good husband and others with a more male focus.

There are scriptures mentioned throughout, but the last section deals most directly with his faith and beliefs.

I found the book to be thought-provoking, inspirational and well written with a good mix of personal stories to illustrate the points - something we tend to want in a book by a well-known person.

The book is humble too - like the man writing it - he talks about is trials and stumbles. He talks about the hard times related to his teenage son taking his own life. You leave this book feeling like you know the author and that he's a real person - something else to like about a book from a well-known figure.

For all of the reasons you might pick up Uncommon, you will enjoy reading it. Even if your beliefs don't mesh completely with the author's, there is still much to learn about life, parenting and leadership from this powerful book.

I recommend it highly.