The markets sank yesterday despite President Obama signing the Stimulus Package Bill (by the way, did anybody else notice he flew to Denver to sign it, just weeks after Congress berated the auto CEOs for flying to Washington to discuss a rescue?).
Why didn’t we see an uptick of optimism?
One explanation from some of my financial expert friends is that people aren’t clear on what the bill will actually do. There seems to be a problem with not only the substance of the bill but a lack of clarity about what it is and what it is intended to do.
In other words: clear like mud.
It reminds me of a program several years ago where I was the guest speaker. At the end of the event, I was to speak to the assembled leaders but in the previous day they had been given–via PowerPoint–169 leadership “imperatives.” I’m not making this up.
What are the odds of success when they go back to work and share with their people, “There are only 169 things we need to keep top of mind and do every day”?
I want the new plan to stimulate the economy; we all do. But the first step is understanding the what and the how. For leaders of every ilk, clarity is critical.
169 imperatives? That reminds of the previous industry I was in where there are so many “can’t dos” and “must dos.” I understand the companies have to protect themselves legally. But these “imperatives” cause people to be scared to take initiative and be productive, even though it’s possible within those parameters. I believe clear, concise communication and rules produce the best results. An acronym used in the military is KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Not that the military is a bastion of clarity, I believe that simplicity and clarity breed success.