Strategic Planning, Part VI: Taking the Reins in Turbulent TImes

Strategic Planning, Part VI
Taking the Reins in Turbulent Times

The word on the Street -- Wall Street, that is -- isn't great. The stock market meltdown and the seizing up of the nation's financial system represent the potential for disaster. There is no guarantee that the proposed government bailout of the mortgage mess announced over the weekend will calm the roiling waters anytime soon. Adding noticeably to the nation's collective jitters: muscle flexing by Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, etc. A Congress lacking direction, the nearing elections -- well, it all makes many fearful that tomorrow's news will be worse.

Over the weekend, as the pundits dissected the past week's unprecedented financial news and handicapped whether Congress will destroy or revive the nation's confidence this week as it seeks to digest the government's $700 billion bailout proposal, I paused. Listening to friends and colleagues bemoan our current fix, I wanted to agree, but for some reason, I didn't.

Clearly, those who hold a cynical view of Congress's ability to inspire anyone, let alone chart a course for an entire nation, are not necessarily wrong when they crankily rant against our national leadership. While it is naive to expect that politics will not be a part of the Congressional review, or that an inevitable delay in a deal with Congress will not hurt the economy further, I wonder: should the nation's business leaders sit on the sidelines while Congress fiddles? Should we call our Congressman? Or should we power forward, mindful of the dangers but unwilling to surrender to the view that life as we know it has been irreparably altered?

For some reason this weekend my mind was replaying a scene from the movie "Midway", a sweeping WWII drama chronicling the improbable victory by outmanned US forces in the first pivotal Pacific naval battle after the cataclysm of Pearl Harbor. In the movie Robert Mitchum portrays legendary American admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey. Laid up in a Pearl Harbor infirmary with a debilitating skin condition Halsey is asked by CINCPAC chief Chester Nimitz, played by Henry Fonda, to name his temporary replacement for the Midway campaign. Who should lead this crucial battle, Nimitz asks Halsey. Halsey recommends Raymond Spruance, a junior officer with no flight experience in a Navy where it is thought that only fighter pilots can command aircraft carrier task forces.

Nimitz winces. "He has no carrier experience," he tells Halsey. "No, but he knows carrier tactics," Halsey counters. Nimitz hesitates.

"Chet," Halsey growls, "you once told me that when you are in command -- command!"

History proved Halsey's recommendation providential. Thanks to good planning and advance intelligence Admiral Spruance's forces pounced upon superior Japanese forces as they steamed near Midway Island. Enemy losses that day were so great that the tide of the Pacific war was strategically altered. From that moment onward the Imperial Navy was retreating.

Times of turmoil call for decisive action. While fears of defeat will always be with us, the consequences of delay and inaction usually produce inferior outcomes. Yes, some will say let's wait and see what Congress does Is there a stronger alternative?

America's hospitality industry doesn't need a pass from Congress. We need strong leaders who continue to believe in their people, their products and the future, to think strategically and without emotion. If your strategic plan needs review, do it now. Otherwise, let's get the engines fired up. It's time to lead our teams into the uncharted times ahead. Victory awaits.

Be honest and be well.