“Leaders are almost by definition people who change minds.”  —Howard E. Gardner, Leading Minds

There is a lack of trust in senior management, according to a survey by the human-resource firm Watson Wyatt:

• Only 49 percent of employees have trust and confidence in their senior managers.
• Just 55 percent say senior leaders behave consistently with core values.
• Only 53 percent believe senior management has made the right changes to stay competitive.

Clearly, much is going wrong in the workplace. Some 40 percent of surveyed executives doubt their leaders have credible plans to address the economic crisis. Certainly, this lack of confidence harms an organization’s ability to move forward.

In light of these problems, middle managers have unprecedented opportunities to become more proactive by stepping forward and offering course corrections — and they should act with deliberate speed. Good times allow organizations to ride out challenges, but today’s tough financial climate won’t permit a wait-and-see approach.

When strong leadership doesn’t come from above, it’s up to the organization itself — in particular, the people in the middle — to launch a rescue operation.

“Leading up requires great courage and determination,” says Michael Useem, a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the seminal book Leading Up: Managing Your Boss So You Both Win. “We might fear how our superior will respond, we might doubt our right to lead up, but we all carry a responsibility to do what we can when it will make a difference.”

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This is a brief synopsis of a 2000 & 1000-word article suitable for consultants’ newsletters for executives and leaders in organizations. It is available for purchase with full reprint rights, which means you may put your name on it and use it in your newsletters, blogs or other marketing materials. You may also modify it and add your personal experiences and perspectives.

The complete 2,000 word article includes these important concepts:

• What’s Happening
• Emerging from the Middle
• 3 Questions to Ask
• The View from Above
• What’s Needed to Lead Up?
• Assertive Diplomacy
• Challenge Ideas, Not People
• Push Back
• Dealing with a Jerk Boss
• Bounce Back

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Are you the type of leader who’s dealing well in these trying economic times?

• Who confronts reality?
• Who figures out what needs to be done?
• Who communicates with confidence?
• Who finds opportunities in chaos, despite uncertainty, inevitable change and unpredictable sales?

If you’re like most, you’ve never before experienced a downturn like this. Reports about the end of the recession mean little if your company continues to fight cash-flow problems.

You cannot allow yourself to be afraid. Others look to you for strength and guidance. You must give the best you have and move quickly, even when faced with incomplete information.

Leading in uncertain times is not for the faint of heart. Some management teams navigate these challenging times well, while others fail miserably. It’s not just the CEO and CFO who are responsible; everyone has an important role to play. Indeed, those who lead well during the recession will emerge as shining stars for tomorrow’s top teams.

In his new book, Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty, bestselling author Ram Charan identifies the key rules to follow if you want to get the right things done in difficult times. This article discusses Charan’s best advice.

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This is a brief synopsis of a 2000 & 1000-word article suitable for consultants’ newsletters for executives and leaders in organizations. It is available for purchase with full reprint rights, which means you may put your name on it and use it in your newsletters, blogs or other marketing materials. You may also modify it and add your personal experiences and perspectives.

The complete 2,000 word article includes these important concepts:

• The Call for Leadership
• Uncertain Data
• Shrinking Business
• Management Intensity
• Ground-Level Intelligence
• Controlling in Real Time
• Build Confidence
• Authenticity Is Critical
• What You Can Do
• Six Essential Leadership Traits for Hard Times
• A note from Ram Charan

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If you are a Content for Coaches client and your account is current, no need to order. Send me an email to confirm that you wish to use this article for your next newsletter.

All others please use the order links below.

Order Links to purchase this article:

a.    Text, 2000-word Article with Full Reprint Rights, $79 –

Click HERE:
Leading in Economic Uncertainty -  Dec09-96a- 2000 word Article –

b.    Text, 1000-word Article with Full Reprint Rights, $57 –

Click HERE:
Leading in Economic Uncertainty – Dec09-96b – 1000 word Article