New York, Mar 28: As shifting global tensions redraw the boundaries of our comfort zones, the onus is on bosses to reassess risks and motivate workers traveling in areas previously thought to be safe.
In the midst of confusion and rapid change, the key to corporate success is responsible, flexible leadership, security and military experts say.
"When people are scared or uncomfortable, you have to lead. Where you are physically sends an important signal," said Ed Ruggero, a former U.S. Army infantry officer, author and keynote speaker on leader development and ethical leadership.
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NEW YORK (Reuters) -- As shifting global tensions redraw the boundaries of our comfort zones, the onus is on bosses to reassess risks and motivate workers traveling in areas previously thought to be safe.
In the midst of confusion and rapid change, the key to corporate success is responsible, flexible leadership, security and military experts say.
"When people are scared or uncomfortable, you have to lead. Where you are physically sends an important signal," said Ed Ruggero, a former U.S. Army infantry officer, author and keynote speaker on leader development and ethical leadership.
"Get out there with them -- be the first to get on a plane on Sept. 12 or at the conference in Spain," he said, using as examples the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington and the recent Madrid train bombing. "It's the leader's job to reassure people, but you still have to complete the mission."
The success of any mission involves careful preparation.
"Companies need to take a look at insurance policies for people traveling everywhere, not just to typically dangerous areas," said Lin Todd, a military analyst and president of Global Risk, international security consultants based in Washington DC area.
"Successful leaders inspire people and create flexible organizations to get the job done in the face of shifting priorities -- even against tremendous odds," says Ruggero, who is preparing a presentation for the CEO European Conference in Palermo, Sicily, in September.
To motivate his clients, which include Citigroup, Lucent Technologies and SEI Investments, Ruggero draws on combat stories gathered from interviews with war veterans.
Bureau Report
