Dear Colleague,

I'm not going to add to the dire predictions of 2009. You have read and seen enough of those already. But I am going to challenge you to make 2009 the best year of your life. Outrageous? Not really.

I don't know about you, but I don't grow either personally or professionally when things are easy and I'm fat and happy. There is a kind of complacency and a bit of "I've got this all figured out" mentality that just seems to set in. But when we look closely, has anything of lasting value ever been created with a bloated budget, little accountability, and no stress or pressure? On the other hand, have not amazing inventions, truly new products, and ground-breaking partnerships been created in dire straits and economic turbulence? That ancient quote, "Necessity is the mother of invention" has new meaning as we head into the new year.

The other thing I want to address with you is that growth is measured in many different ways. Financial results are one indicator. But so is growing yourself, your team, staying amazingly close to your customers, and building the best relationships you know how with everyone you know -- family, friends, neighbors, the guy working at the bagel shop, the woman at the gas station. We are all anxious and we are all in this together.

Since we have been through times like this before, corporate America does have data. What we know is that companies that continue to develop and encourage their people during recessions are way ahead of the competition when the tide turns. These well developed teams are tight, smart, and forward thinking and ready to take advantage of opportunity. They have each other's ear and each other's back. You can't ask for more than that.

The Center for Creative Leadership has found that companies with a strategic approach to leadership development are 67% more effective at increasing the engagement, retention, and teamwork of leaders. In other words, these companies breed actively engaged team members, not checked-out, clock-watching employees. When faced with rapid changes in the business environment, 86% of companies who actively develop their talent are able to respond quicker and more competitively, compared to 52% of companies with little emphasis on leadership programs.

People don't depreciate. But hard assets do. Here are some ideas to help make 2009 the best and most energized year of your life.

Take good care of yourself and have some great fun over the holidays,

Make 2009 the Best Year of Your Life

We have all of what we need and most of what we want. -- Anonymous Stay away from the siren song of the negative. Have a good word to say, always. Shed some light, offer perspective, and provide reassurance to others. -- Susan Bixler "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that's made all the difference." -- Robert Frost - Quotes

In good or bad economic times, our egos pose a much greater risk to our well being than any global melt-down. Historically and currently pride is our worst enemy. When the Big 3 automakers asked for a wholesale bail-out from Congress and the taxpayer without even a business plan, most working people were astounded. The CEOs flew in on corporate jets and expected to leave with a 34+ billion dollar check. They didn't do their homework, they didn't have a plan, and their arrogance was harmful to their leadership and their companies.

On the other hand, humility is one of the most under-rated qualities of leadership. Coupled with competency and a genuine appreciation of others, it remains a brilliant strategy. So what does successful leadership look like today? Here are seven recommendations that can get you through the toughest of times:

1. Be visible. Be open. Don't hide. Communicate again and again, no matter how painful. Get bad news out there right away. When times are good, look for the problems and the parts of your business to improve. When times are difficult, be tough on the issues, but "soft" on the people. Your presence, communication, body language, and reassurance will set the tone for your team and your customers.


2. Accept your share of responsibility. Admitting that you don't have all the answers doesn't make you weak. It makes you realistic and open to feedback. Ask your team what you are doing right and what needs improvement. Find the themes and consensus and then make changes. If you let your people hold you accountable, you will get better.


3. Don't let your team off the hook. Everyone on your team can play better, be more efficient, accurate, innovative, and knowledgeable. Everyone can crank up customer/client service to the highest degree. Discuss how to create a customer/client experience that makes you easy to work with, highly sensitive to their needs, and glues them to you for the long-term.


4. Stay focused on what is important. Instead of us reacting to the noise and distractions around, instead of letting our egos get bruised, we need to get over ourselves and just get on with it. Much of the external circumstances are beyond our control, so we have no impact there. Most of the negativity that comes our way is not personal. Focus on where you can make a difference and do it with passion and commitment.


5. Keep your sense of humor and have fun. Laugh your way through 2009. Spend more time, not less doing the things that really bring life to you -- family, friends, pets, hobbies, live performances, FaceBook, Linkedin, digging around in your backyard, reading -- you name it. Business will improve as we all lighten up.


6. Maintain your self-confidence by preserving and expanding your energy. Especially in more difficult economic times, negativity can abound. If you have to work or live with energy-draining people, make peace and find a neutral place to be in the relationship. But meanwhile bring more people into your life that build you up, that encourage you, that know that life is a gift, not a burden.


7. Give back. In a time when financial anxiety may cause us to tighten our belts and cut back, consider giving more to others -- If not money, then in time. The most beautiful compensation in life is that we can never help another without helping ourselves.

We will come out of this recession, we just don't know exactly when. In the meantime, we can't waste time because we don't ever get that back. By allocating our energy and focus to the right things now, we can make the coming year our personal and professional best ever.