It takes a leader to move the needle
Some say that an idle mind is the devil’s playground. However, I disagree and think most idle minds just waste time. It takes a leader to move the needle. Progress was never achieved by sitting back and waiting for someone else to step up. It is achieved with an idea driven to execution.
I have been following the wind industry for about six months. My final rotational leadership program assignment is in the wind industry. For a couple of months, I thought that the wind industry needed a credible leader to step up and be it’s advocate. In the past months, T. Boone Pickens has stepped up and become that leader, generating support from what he now defines as his “army.” With a clear, concise problem statement, defined goals, and strategy, the needle will be moved.
A critical message from T. Boone Pickens: “America is in a hole and it’s getting deeper every day. We import 70 percent of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year - four times the annual cost of the Iraq war. I’ve been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil. On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in. If we’re organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes toward cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources.To get this done, I need your help. Check out the plan. If you think it’s worth fighting for, please join our effort, and encourage everyone you know to do the same.”
Leaders have vision and who could argue that Pickens has that? In the statement above, he defines a problem, “America is in a hole and it’s getting deeper every day.” He then quantifies it, “We import 70 percent of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year - four times the annual cost of the Iraq war.” He then gives a forward looking statement and call-to-action, “But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil. On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in. If we’re organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes toward cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources. To get this done, I need your help.” He asks his supports to check out his plan and help fight for the same.
When you identify an area of opportunity, don’t just sit around. Inspire others and move the needle.
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August 31st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
That is great to read this post. I am french, and this is exactly what french people need to learn.