Last fall, at the Building Champions Experience, I gave the opening presentation. The topic was centered on best practices for success in challenging times. Earlier in the year, as I prepared for this presentation, I interviewed several clients and friends who serve as leaders of large organizations to identify the most common behavioral disciplines.
During my interview with a client who is the CEO of a UK based petroleum additives organization, the topic of team came up. He said that he believes we fall short as leaders when we see our teams as an “asset.” He explained that people do not want to feel owned, or to have their value summarized on a corporate balance sheet.
His belief is that our team is more than an asset. They are our competitive advantage.
In challenging times, most leaders spend the majority of their time playing defense. This means time spent reviewing cash flow, sales reports, and financials so they can make the best reactive and tactical decisions in order to survive. Cost cutting, expense control, layoffs…..ugh! 
