How do you drive economic recovery?

The recent issue of Knowledge@Wharton profiled an organizational change
initiative that is working to infuse a giant corporation with the energy it
needs to stay buoyant in turbulent times. What lessons can you take from
DuPont's success? Their CEO, Ellen Kullman, articulates these principles,
which parallel our 5 Courage Factors:

1. Focus on what you can control. Identify the concrete things you can do
to generate cash and conserve resources, while continuing to optimize
quality, safety and regulatory compliance. Do it with rigor.

2. Shift from a product to a service/partnership business model. Ask about
the vexing problems that keep your customers awake at night. Accelerate
innovation that adds value by addressing unmet needs in an effective and
safe way. Risk -- when you are onto an innovation that strengthens a
profitable partnership.

3. Get out and communicate on really tough issues. Don't wait for the
tough questions. Get out in front of them with board members, investors,
customers and regulators -- AFTER you get out in front of tough issues with
your own employees. Be candid, particularly when you are asking employees
to work harder and more creatively for less now and a more uncertain future.

4. Maintain pride about the organization's mission. Infuse everything you
do with a sense of purpose. Communicate that purpose clearly and vividly,
reinforcing the same message over and over -- so people "get it" and know
it's consistent and serious. Show people how their efforts and their
company are a force for good in the world -- not just a source of wealth for
the owners and investors.

5. Focus on small local successes. Go viral. Make sure everyone
understands that their energy, passion, creativity makes the difference --
one customer contact, one plant, one product, one division at a time.
Inspire will, so individuals step up and make a difference.

Click here to read the interview with Ellen Kullman from knowledge@wharton
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2273

For a dialogue about courage to step up and drive economic recovery in your
enterprise, we invite you to visit our discussion @ www.courageinstitute.net