Erika Andersen "The antidote to fear? Pull people out of their panic and self-protective impulses by first acknowledging the difficulties, then raising their eyes and hearts to a possibility of success. At that point you can take advantage of their newly available and hopeful energy to make that possibility a reality.

This is the essence of what I call being strategic: doing a clear and accurate assessment of the current situation, then articulating the possibility of a successful future. And at that point, when you see clearly where you are and where you hope to go, staying strategic means making core directional choices … about how to achieve that future you’ve envisioned.”

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Erika Andersen's previous manifesto, Growing Great New Managers.

About the author:
Erika Andersen has developed a reputation for creating learning and change processes and programs uniquely tailored to her clients’ challenges, goals, and culture. She and her colleagues at Proteus International, the company she founded in 1990, offer practical methods and skills for individuals, teams, and organizations to clarify and move toward their hoped-for-future.

Much of Erika’s recent work has focused on organizational visioning and strategy, executive coaching, and management and leadership development. She has served as consultant and advisor to the CEOs and top executives of corporations like GE, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Comcast, Union Square Hospitality Group, CBS, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and Madison Square Garden.

Her first book, Growing Great Employees, was published by Portfolio in 2007. Her latest book, Being Strategic: Plan for Success; Out-Think Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change, was published in May of 2009 by St. Martins Press. You can keep up with Erika on her blog, The Simplest Thing That Works.