Just finished reading an interesting book...
The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership by Steven B. Sample and Warren Bennis.

It has some really fine ideas, like learning how to think "gray" and working for those who work for you. Highly recommended.

OK,so I have a question. How do leaders keep their own hope going, as well as the people around them, when things look bleak?
I've read in several places that NC is predicted to have a $4 billion (yes, with a "b") deficit next year. As leaders how do we help folks keep working in the face of this? I do believe in fighting the good fight, but keeping spirits up is a hard part of leadership.

The thing that I hold on to during times like these is a quote from TS Eliot's Four Quartets "For us there is only the trying, the rest is not our business."

Our job is to do our best, to keep trying and doing, knowing that if we do that the best possible available outcome will happen.

Any other thoughts out there?