Experience vs. Charisma
There are times, whether in a country or in a cooperation, that the current and desired state of affairs requires a very special kind of leader.
In these times where constituents, (citizens, employees, shareholders, customers) are disillusioned, lost, worried, even in despair ~ it seems the best solution is found in a high integrity charismatic leader.
This kind of leader can emphasize with the reality of the current state, but at the same time lead all to move toward a bold positive vision of the future. People want to be lead by leaders who can chart a path forward, inspire, surround them selves with diverse talent and most impressively get the best out of us all.
It is fascinating how credible leaders with proven experience and expertise but with out charisma, lose ground to the one with it. People become tired, bored, and even skeptical of the candidates who want to show their expertise and experience because it all just seems so status quo. Sort of unfair in a way, but it is all about timing. A great leader for one time in history may not be the right leader for a different more challenging period.
Our friends to the south are obviously looking for a high integrity charismatic leader.
While it may seem on the surface that they are choosing between experience vs. charisma, I see it differently. To me, they are obviously looking for a the right person for these challenging times, who will positively and constructively lead the entire country forward, rather than a person who has a high level of expertise and experience.
Experience vs. Charisma ? It is all about timing.
Dan MacDonald
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
US Economy Sure to Affect Canadian Business Growth
US Economy Sure to Affect Canadian Business Growth in the Near Term
I must admit I am very proud of Canada's economic track record. Our consistent federal and provincial budget surpluses, debt maintenance, low interest rates, commodity price strength, and political stability position Canada as one of the world's strongest economies.
I also admit, that as a consumer the strength of the Canadian dollar against the USD feels pretty good after 30+ years.
That all being said, there are some significant challenges facing Canada in the near term.
The US is by for our largest trading partner. Weakness therefore in the US market directly affects trade. Canadian exporters are bracing for a double whammy. 1. The high Canadian dollar is eating into margins, 2. Export revenues will likely decrease do to the US economic downturn. The result, lower top and bottom line for many exporters.
There is no easy answer here.
Exporters have been dealing with the high dollar for several quarters now, and at the same time have been looking to diversify export markets beyond the US. Easier said than done, but necessary.
The economists and politicians are attempting to sound realistic and not add to the pessimism, but their guidance seems to have a shelf life measured in hours.
Canadian businesses who rely heavily on exports to the US, must rework their short and medium term financial assumptions. Airing conservatively that the Canadian dollar continues at par would be a wise move.
Businesses need to get closer to key customers, from a communications point of view, to proactively monitor their corporate health and the most likely impact on your top and bottom line.
Strap in - she is going to be a wild ride for sure.
Dan MacDonald
I must admit I am very proud of Canada's economic track record. Our consistent federal and provincial budget surpluses, debt maintenance, low interest rates, commodity price strength, and political stability position Canada as one of the world's strongest economies.
I also admit, that as a consumer the strength of the Canadian dollar against the USD feels pretty good after 30+ years.
That all being said, there are some significant challenges facing Canada in the near term.
The US is by for our largest trading partner. Weakness therefore in the US market directly affects trade. Canadian exporters are bracing for a double whammy. 1. The high Canadian dollar is eating into margins, 2. Export revenues will likely decrease do to the US economic downturn. The result, lower top and bottom line for many exporters.
There is no easy answer here.
Exporters have been dealing with the high dollar for several quarters now, and at the same time have been looking to diversify export markets beyond the US. Easier said than done, but necessary.
The economists and politicians are attempting to sound realistic and not add to the pessimism, but their guidance seems to have a shelf life measured in hours.
Canadian businesses who rely heavily on exports to the US, must rework their short and medium term financial assumptions. Airing conservatively that the Canadian dollar continues at par would be a wise move.
Businesses need to get closer to key customers, from a communications point of view, to proactively monitor their corporate health and the most likely impact on your top and bottom line.
Strap in - she is going to be a wild ride for sure.
Dan MacDonald
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Benazir Bhutto ~ Rest in Peace
With total disgust I have been watching the news out of Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto was preparing to fight a democratic election and was assassinated seemingly because she was a treat to those in power.
The world has just gotten even more volatile than it already was only days ago.
We should count our blessings for while we do not live in a perfect part of the world, we clearly live in a place far better off than many.
Benazir Bhutto ~ Rest in Peace
Dan MacDonald
Benazir Bhutto was preparing to fight a democratic election and was assassinated seemingly because she was a treat to those in power.
The world has just gotten even more volatile than it already was only days ago.
We should count our blessings for while we do not live in a perfect part of the world, we clearly live in a place far better off than many.
Benazir Bhutto ~ Rest in Peace
Dan MacDonald
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Leadership
Leadership requires two key things; perspective & courage.
Perspective:
A leader knows that while it is very important to understand where they are trying to go and or what they are trying to achieve, it is NOT important for the leader to have to know how they are actually going to specifically achieve their objective. Leaders break new ground, so there is no defined path or process to follow. Yes, they of course have a view of generally how they will move forward and are confident they will achieve the objective, but at the same time they do not know exactly how they will reach the end point.
Courage:
A leader has the courage to move forward toward the end goal, with out knowing the exact path. Many around the leader raise issues, risks, what-abouts, showstoppers, warnings, biases, etc. The leader looks to understand and deal with them while she\he moves forward, rather than getting paralyzed by them.
- Leaders combine perspective and courage to confidently (not over confidently) move toward the objective.
-Leaders know full well they will rarely take a straight forward path, but instead make course corrections along the way.
- Leaders understand there will be challenges but keep focused on the end goal while navigating the issues that arise.
- Leaders are not always right, welcome constructive challenge and solutions oriented debates
- Leaders respect the team and are respected.
- Leaders are not afraid of failure.
- Leaders are ready to take the blame but not the credit.
- Some of the best leaders, lead from the back.
- Leaders achieve excellence while striving for perfection.
- Leaders step up.
Dan MacDonald
Perspective:
A leader knows that while it is very important to understand where they are trying to go and or what they are trying to achieve, it is NOT important for the leader to have to know how they are actually going to specifically achieve their objective. Leaders break new ground, so there is no defined path or process to follow. Yes, they of course have a view of generally how they will move forward and are confident they will achieve the objective, but at the same time they do not know exactly how they will reach the end point.
Courage:
A leader has the courage to move forward toward the end goal, with out knowing the exact path. Many around the leader raise issues, risks, what-abouts, showstoppers, warnings, biases, etc. The leader looks to understand and deal with them while she\he moves forward, rather than getting paralyzed by them.
- Leaders combine perspective and courage to confidently (not over confidently) move toward the objective.
-Leaders know full well they will rarely take a straight forward path, but instead make course corrections along the way.
- Leaders understand there will be challenges but keep focused on the end goal while navigating the issues that arise.
- Leaders are not always right, welcome constructive challenge and solutions oriented debates
- Leaders respect the team and are respected.
- Leaders are not afraid of failure.
- Leaders are ready to take the blame but not the credit.
- Some of the best leaders, lead from the back.
- Leaders achieve excellence while striving for perfection.
- Leaders step up.
Dan MacDonald
Friday, December 14, 2007
Roy
This week, my father-in-law, Roy McGonnell passed away at the young age of 69.
69 is way to young to die.
Roy was quite a guy.
He was a husband, a brother, father of three, proud grandfather of 6, a multi sport Canada games level athlete, policeman turned postman, umpire, story teller, litterally everyones friend, the caregiver of his disabled wife for over 12 years. As we say in in Atlantic Canada "Roy was a real character".
Roy was a person who constantly told stories. As I think back, these stories were Roy's way of sharing his views on everything from sports, to politics, to family matters. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone.
Dying and suffering from cancer for over a year, I never heard him complain once. Except for the night before he died he was watching harness racing on TV and expected to see 5 races not 4. He was pissed ;)
I and my three children have had the pleasure to know such a man.
They don't make many like Roy anymore.
Rest in peace Roy.
Dan MacDonald
69 is way to young to die.
Roy was quite a guy.
He was a husband, a brother, father of three, proud grandfather of 6, a multi sport Canada games level athlete, policeman turned postman, umpire, story teller, litterally everyones friend, the caregiver of his disabled wife for over 12 years. As we say in in Atlantic Canada "Roy was a real character".
Roy was a person who constantly told stories. As I think back, these stories were Roy's way of sharing his views on everything from sports, to politics, to family matters. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone.
Dying and suffering from cancer for over a year, I never heard him complain once. Except for the night before he died he was watching harness racing on TV and expected to see 5 races not 4. He was pissed ;)
I and my three children have had the pleasure to know such a man.
They don't make many like Roy anymore.
Rest in peace Roy.
Dan MacDonald
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Circular Debates
We live in a society where we are able to freely debate issues.
Debating issues is a good thing.
People get to share their views, and hear those of others.
Ideally at the end of the debate, everyone has learned something and a solution to the issue is closer than it would have been.
There are topics though, that we l o v e to discuss in circles.
These topics somehow bring out the worst in our debating style.
We focus much of our energy on "what is wrong" vs "what will it take".
As a result 97% of our energy get used on the negative/look in the mirror side of the debate, rather than on the positive/how can we move forward.
These circular debates end up exhausting our energy, they rarely ever allow the issue to be resolved, and people basically give up.
If you find yourself in a circular debate, pause and ask yourself if there is a better way to move forward.
Step up and constructively/yet aggressively suggest that "we should spend our energy on working a solution, rather than rehashing..." After an awkward 30 seconds of silence, people usually shift into a more action oriented dialog.
If this does not happen, maybe it is time to hook up with some people who want to move forward not stand still.
Give it a try.
Dan MacDonald
Debating issues is a good thing.
People get to share their views, and hear those of others.
Ideally at the end of the debate, everyone has learned something and a solution to the issue is closer than it would have been.
There are topics though, that we l o v e to discuss in circles.
These topics somehow bring out the worst in our debating style.
We focus much of our energy on "what is wrong" vs "what will it take".
As a result 97% of our energy get used on the negative/look in the mirror side of the debate, rather than on the positive/how can we move forward.
These circular debates end up exhausting our energy, they rarely ever allow the issue to be resolved, and people basically give up.
If you find yourself in a circular debate, pause and ask yourself if there is a better way to move forward.
Step up and constructively/yet aggressively suggest that "we should spend our energy on working a solution, rather than rehashing..." After an awkward 30 seconds of silence, people usually shift into a more action oriented dialog.
If this does not happen, maybe it is time to hook up with some people who want to move forward not stand still.
Give it a try.
Dan MacDonald
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Don't forget to celebrate
What a week.
Three steps forward, one step back.
That's the way progress goes sometimes.
Hmm... make that most times.
Interesting how the "one step back" always seems to negate the excitement of the "three steps forward". The team needs to celebrate the progress, while working toward the next challenges.
Not celebrating the progress, and instead dwelling on the one setback, can create a demotivating environment.
Don't forget to celebrate before\while you are getting after the next challenge.
Dan MacDonald
Three steps forward, one step back.
That's the way progress goes sometimes.
Hmm... make that most times.
Interesting how the "one step back" always seems to negate the excitement of the "three steps forward". The team needs to celebrate the progress, while working toward the next challenges.
Not celebrating the progress, and instead dwelling on the one setback, can create a demotivating environment.
Don't forget to celebrate before\while you are getting after the next challenge.
Dan MacDonald
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Cause Bandwidth
Halifax is truly a great city.
Something fascinating is happening in our city and it is being propelled further and faster by social networking. At least it seems so.
Case(s) in point;
Citizens For Halifax
East Coast Connected
Fusion Halifax
The above three groups are great examples of new (less than 6 months old) initiatives fueled by people who love Halifax and want to make it better. Virtually overnight, these groups have attracted 100's of members, in one case over 500, in another over 1500. The dialog on these sites is passionate, comes from a diverse group of people, and is overwhelmingly positive.
Social Networking has been a very effective medium to communicate and recruit members to join these initiatives. The challenge, similar to any initiative, is to continue to offer compelling messages and challenges to members and sustain momentum.
It is interesting to me, that these new initiatives inadvertently challenge existing initiatives in Halifax by draining some of the "cause bandwidth" the active members had if any for the existing causes. This is not a bad thing. Renewal is necessary, as is attracting new and often younger people to the various causes.
Some existing initiatives have jumped on the social networking bandwagon to attempt to tap into the medium. I suspect that take up will be modest. Why ? Their messages are somewhat dated, the language is somehow out of step with the language of the 20 and 30 somethings, the clock speed of the existing initiatives is s l o w e r that that of the new ones.
Are we observing the beginnings of a "turn over" or "take over" or "migration" of our great city's causes by a newer younger more passionate group of Haligonians ? A rapid migration I think.
It will be fascinating to track the momentum of the new and the old.
Dan MacDonald
Something fascinating is happening in our city and it is being propelled further and faster by social networking. At least it seems so.
Case(s) in point;
Citizens For Halifax
East Coast Connected
Fusion Halifax
The above three groups are great examples of new (less than 6 months old) initiatives fueled by people who love Halifax and want to make it better. Virtually overnight, these groups have attracted 100's of members, in one case over 500, in another over 1500. The dialog on these sites is passionate, comes from a diverse group of people, and is overwhelmingly positive.
Social Networking has been a very effective medium to communicate and recruit members to join these initiatives. The challenge, similar to any initiative, is to continue to offer compelling messages and challenges to members and sustain momentum.
It is interesting to me, that these new initiatives inadvertently challenge existing initiatives in Halifax by draining some of the "cause bandwidth" the active members had if any for the existing causes. This is not a bad thing. Renewal is necessary, as is attracting new and often younger people to the various causes.
Some existing initiatives have jumped on the social networking bandwagon to attempt to tap into the medium. I suspect that take up will be modest. Why ? Their messages are somewhat dated, the language is somehow out of step with the language of the 20 and 30 somethings, the clock speed of the existing initiatives is s l o w e r that that of the new ones.
Are we observing the beginnings of a "turn over" or "take over" or "migration" of our great city's causes by a newer younger more passionate group of Haligonians ? A rapid migration I think.
It will be fascinating to track the momentum of the new and the old.
Dan MacDonald
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Skin getting thicker or thinner ?
I continually see an Entrepreneur's/CEO's skin get thicker as they navigate the trials and tribulations of a growth company. Determination, a sense of responsibility to shareholders and faith in themselves keeps them going strong.
Surprisingly, I also see the start-up company employee's skin get thinner as the company goes through the above process. Employees can fatigue, become disillusioned with the potential, and balance of risk and reward.
These realities are often a surprise, even hurtful to the CEO who thought he was on the same page as all of the troops.
Your troops need one on one reassurance and reinforcements. Their upside and downside is different than yours.
Check in often.
Dan MacDonald
Surprisingly, I also see the start-up company employee's skin get thinner as the company goes through the above process. Employees can fatigue, become disillusioned with the potential, and balance of risk and reward.
These realities are often a surprise, even hurtful to the CEO who thought he was on the same page as all of the troops.
Your troops need one on one reassurance and reinforcements. Their upside and downside is different than yours.
Check in often.
Dan MacDonald
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