CHAPTER 20

Moving Smoothly into Action

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

—WILL ROGERS

Leaders take decisive and effective action themselves, and cultivate that ability in their people.

Bruce, the CEO of a government services firm, tendered his resignation when a charge (which was later dropped) was leveled against his $800 million company by a federal agency. This intense crisis could have forced the company into bankruptcy within weeks, and employees easily could have blamed Bruce. He chose to settle the matter by offering his resignation in order to save the company. Many companies turn on their CEOs amid scandal. However, because of the atmosphere of teamwork Bruce created and the results they had produced ...

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