Focus on What You Can Control in Tough Times

A note to young leaders.

Stop blaming yourself for the weather. That’s not something you can control. The problem is never with the weather, but with the clothes you are wearing.
Recently, I was visited by an entrepreneur-friend. He was lamenting that he was losing more revenue than he could replace. Customers, he said, were becoming less interested in quality/speed and much more interested in securing the lowest price.

I said: “That’s not your fault. That’s what happens in a slowdown.” We
discussed two things.

First, the “quality vs price” debate can only be decided in your favour at a senior management level. If you’re pitching to middle management, you’ll lose every time. We identified two rainmakers who could help elevate the company’s pitch to CEO or board level.
Second, we talked about preparing a detailed cost plan that would ensure the company remained profitable, even in a worst case scenario. Vague fears about the future are mentally debilitating. Preparing for the worst actually brings calm and confidence.

Those who have the courage to peer into the abyss, rarely fall into it.

If it’s snowing – don’t chide yourself for feeling cold – put on a warm jacket and gloves, and carry on.