All have experienced it. The rapid heart rate. The increased blood pressure. The tightening of muscles. Primal. Instinctive. Fear. In the face of potential danger, the brain sends out messages for chemicals like adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol to be released into the blood stream. Identified has the “fight or flight” response, it’s simply the body’s way of protecting itself. Fear is a chemical reaction used for man’s survival. In many ways, the most obvious way to survive through an arising situation is to retreat. Though fear was most effective for man when being chased by an antediluvian beast, times have changed, and man’s biggest fears are now related to the economy, business, and social structures. As a business leader, one must be aware of all the apparent fears that keep progress at bay. Once the issues are defined, then they can be faced and defeated.
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Even though 2011 isn’t a big election year, the first week of November always stirs up conversations about the leadership abilities and mistakes of our elected public officials. It’s easy to criticize their actions and words when you’re on the outside looking in, and it’s nice to feel empowered with the opportunity to choose or reject them. But what if the shoe was on the other foot at your business and your employees were able to elect their leader? Are you providing them what you should, and would you be their final choice?

As a leader, you can’t make your decisions based on popular opinion. However, employee morale and your team’s perception of you are directly tied to your company’s productivity, profitability, and turnover rate. Keeping that in mind, consider what kind of “campaign promises” would earn your employees’ votes.
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