New York Time Op-Ed Columnist Paul Krugman has it right. In a recent op-ed article, Krugman ably illustrates how the dysfunction of the current U.S. political environment is undermining our true prospects of any economic recovery.
Krugman argues, I think rightly so, that a fundamental lack of individual leadership from those in public office is to blame for our lack of economic progress, stating, “We are no longer the nation that used to amaze the world with its visionary projects. We have become, instead, a nation whose politicians seem to compete over who can show the least vision, the least concern about the future and the greatest willingness to pander to short-term, narrow-minded selfishness.”
Read this thought provoking article, and then try to ignore the painful reality.
…Is the ability to translate Vision into Action.
As the old Japanese proverb goes,
“Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare.”
True success comes from doing the right things to accomplish the right things. Set the right course (true to yourself, constructive rather than destructive), and focus relentlessly on aligning your resources and managing your time to achieve the incremental milestones that get you all the way there.
This I believe…
Today, strategic planning is more important than ever. Whether personally, or as part of a group or company, your strategic plan is your blue print for success. Your strategic plan articulates your vision of the future and your well thought out approach to seeing that vision realized. Such plans enhance your ability to navigate and consistently dominate your constantly changing environment. Most importantly, your strategic plan provides the necessary structure within which you can confidently make decisions and take action on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis (Not to mention quarterly, and annually).
Don’t have a Strategic Plan? You need one.
An up-to-date, well-articulated strategic plan puts you in the driver seat. Without a strategic plan, we find ourselves set adrift, flying blind, only hoping we will ever achieve our goals – perhaps not even clearly understanding what those goals might be. With an up-to-date, comprehensive strategic plan, we set the agenda, we create the future, we actively position ourselves to take advantage of our current environment – in short, we thrive.
Comments? What do you think of strategic planning? Panacea? or Pathetic Waste of Time? Please let me know what you think – I’d love to engage in the conversation!
I don’t think many would disagree that the world is presently undergoing enormous change. In nearly every sector of human interest, we are currently going through massive, paradigm shifting upheaval, mostly stemming from the results “just in” from the last 100 years of technological innovation and experimentation. And in most cases, the results are not all that favorable.
From business to the environment, the financial crisis to national security, there is no small list of of hugely complicated and interconnected issues our generation must immediately tackle and solve. The need for leadership is palpable – and the stakes are overwhelming (in some cases, end of the world type stuff).
In today’s article, Bill Drayton and Valeria Budinich discuss the need for leadership in this uncertain, changing world. Everyone has a stake and therefore an opportunity (perhaps a duty) to step up and lead their organization, or themselves, through. “We are transitioning from a world in which a small elite runs everything to a world in which everyone needs to be a player.”
The thrust of the article is important: we cannot simply sit back and bear witness to these times, just along for the ride. Regardless of industry, position, or station, we – everyone – must look our changing environment in the eye, accept the fact that the way it has been is no longer, and step bravely up to the leadership plate. As the authors opine, this is indeed a rare moment in history, and it’s time for each of us to step up and be a positive agent of change.
Read the Whole Article: Get Ready To Be a Changemaker
