This week's focus point - Leadership.

There was quite an uproar last week when the top commander in the Afghan War, General Stanley A. McChrystal was called out of duty to meet with President Obama over contemptuous comments he made to Rolling Stone magazine about the President, Vice-President, and Ambassadors. There is no doubt McChrystal showed terrible judgment and embarrassed himself and his bosses. The question remained - was he still the best person for the job? President Obama didn't think so and fired him immediately.

How do you deal with insubordinate or embarrassing actions by the people underneath you  - supervisors, managers, corporate executives? What dictates to you whether they keep their job or not? Leadership entails making tough decisions for the well being of the organization, not just of the leader. Certainly, issues like this must be dealt with firmly and swiftly. And, consequences of actions should be taken into account.

In the end, your decisions will shape how you are viewed as a leader. Both President Obama and General McChrystal are considered leaders within the hierarchy of the government and military. The decision to dismiss McChrystal will have consequences with our national security and the war. Your decision on how to deal with challenging subordinates will also have consequences on your organization's success, morale, and effectiveness.

P.S. You say you're not in a leadership position? Doubtful. At some level you are a parent, a manager, a boss, a non-profit or civic board member, an entrepreneur, a partner, a spouse, or a friend. These ALL entail leadership!

This week's quote -"I ran my team pretty much like I ran my family. Only with my family, I had the greatest co-coach working along side with me."
- John Wooden

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