Harsh times is how some people describe the current situation. Yet the time has come to prove your leadership capabilities and convert them into actions and decisions resulting in outperforming your competitors.

No matter what happens in 2009, we will still have to meet expectations and try to maximize our potential. Conventional wisdom suggests that you have to play it safe and stick to what worked.

Yet Tom Peters quoted it as follows:

“If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got”

A couple of ideas to break the rules:

• Engagement has proven to be a ‘virus’ according to a recent study by Prof. Peggy De Prins (UAMS Antwerp). The result shows an important correlation between the engagement of the leaders and the quality of work and retention.   Therefor leaders can make the difference by truly ‘walk the talk’.
• Today is a real opportunity to streamline your DNA. DNA dilution has proven to be one of the key reasons why companies don’t optimize their growth potential. Hiring people who are not completely compatible with your DNA is what happens a lot during times of high growth and a shortage on the job market. The importance of DNA was also found in the research by Jerry Porras and Jim Collins covered in their book ‘Build to last’.
• Focus on segments with the highest perceived differentiation that show ‘real ROI’. In other words focus your efforts on markets and prospects who seek your leadership.
• Get subjectivity out of your forecast allowing people to do the right things at the right time. It will decrease your cost of sales and increase your hit-rate at the same time.  You will have have up to 45% more active deals in your pipeline in any given moment in time.
• Keep on investing in your people in order to proof the forward looking mindset of management and your commitment to them as well.

READERS: I’m looking forward to any other ways to break the rules and excel in 2009!