At Mass this morning, we heard about the need for people to "see the signs" in their lives and the importance of cementing one's beliefs, especially as times grow increasingly trying. The thoughts sat with me for a bit, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how appropriate those thoughts are today as we face unprecedented financial and political uncertainty. The current market condition we face is filled with uncertainty and the fear of the unknown.

I believe that one of the many roles of leaders is to create compelling clarity, especially when it comes to The Vision for the company. A good leader will cut through the verbiage and business-speak, and create a clear, uncluttered message, one that the team can use as their foundation, their reference point, their starting point on the journey. A lack of clarity can be devastating to “Facing Forward” approach with your team. Your team wants to own The Vision and The Plan but, without clarity, they will hold back in attacking with passion. No one wants to walk off into unchartered territory without a clear idea of where they're going and what they believe in. Let your clear, compelling Vision be the map for your team.

If we are use The Vision as a clear and uncluttered map for our journey, the need for us all to continue to "see the signs" as we journey is very relevant today; these signs are the guideposts in our journey. This economy and political dysfunction has caused many to only see the “stop” sign. I hear people blame business for not reinvesting in their companies or not hiring more people. They are just trying to read the signs of this market and see what is in the future.

By removing the blinders and honestly allowing yourself to read current market conditions or assess potentially time-sensitive social or political situations that may (or may not) affect your business, you're actively cheering your team on. You're showing them that you're invested in this journey. You're leading.

Now more than ever, it is time for us leaders to create compelling clarity for our teams. These are the good old days! This is the new economy! This is the level of political and financial leadership that we can expect going forward. We have to decide to be the sign of hope and growth in the future.

Be that sign.