I was recently in the classroom of my son (7 years old) and noticed the poem written below at the front of the class.  As a parent and professional familiar with the qualities of great leaders, I was excited to see this being instilled into his character.

It Can Be Done
The man who misses all the fun
Is he who says, “It can’t be done.”
In solemn pride he stands aloof
And greets each venture with reproof.

Had he the power he’d efface
The history of the human race.
We’d have no radio or motor cars
No streets lit by electric stars.

No telegraph nor telephone
We’d linger in the age of stone.
The world would sleep if things were run
By men who say, “It can’t be done.”

-William J. Bennett

This poem caught my attention because I am constantly helping my children to become great leaders and learn the skills necessary to be successful in their own lives.  While there are many qualities of leadership, the conviction to enjoy the journey and press forward is a great quality to develop and poses.

Also cited in this study is the decline in human resource professionals’ confidence in leadership over the past eight years (from 47% to 35%).  These professionals believe that 37% of leaders fail.  That is a staggering loss for companies especially in today’s competitive environment.

I found this fascinating because during difficult economic times and as businesses are under increased scrutiny, it seems natural that this would be the time for companies to invest in the development of their current leaders and high-potential future leaders.  The key word is investment.  When the economic pressures are on, leadership development is not always seen for what it is – and investment or an insurance policy for the future.  More than ever we need competent leaders at the helm of our organizations and leadership competence is achieved through development on an ongoing basis.

I believe that during turbulent times, businesses cannot avoid managing their talent and equipping leaders for the future by investing in development initiatives that are directly linked to profitability and the organization’s strategic goals.  Click here to read part two of Developing Leaders During Tought Times.