A Dealer In Hope

This is such an interesting time of year. Most of us will be are spending time with family, friends and colleagues during the holidays. It is a time when we reflect positively and negatively on the past year and contemplate what the coming year will hold. This season is rich with the opportunity for a leader to dispense hope.

Napoleon said that "a leader is a dealer in hope" and that may be most fitting as we consider the many dealers we encounter during the holidays. Some dealers are peddling merchandise (retailers) while others are peddling doom and despair (media). Some are dealing in knowledge (educators) while other dealers are peddling solutions (consultants). However the most powerful dealers of all are the leaders who are dispensing hope.

Don't get me wrong there is plenty to be concerned about in our world and I am not advocating that leaders blindly look aside from real challenges. I am saying that leaders who deal in hope will sincerely and convincinly articualte a bright future, especially when the immediate circustances are bleak. Dealing hope is a responsibility of all leaders and this is the time of year to deal most heavily in this potent motivator.

So as the holidays hit their peak over the next few weeks I want to encourage you to be a dealer in hope.