Gauge your future prospects by the singing in the lifeboats

"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want."

Whether you are a believer in inspirational quotes or not, you have to admit that they do have their moments. So, from the one provided we can gather that 'Experience' is a bit of a consolation prize.

If you have reached a cynical stage in your career then you should visit Despair.com and view the Demotivator's Calendar. A refreshingly silly five-minutes of your life you won't get back.

For the more serious minded classical students amongst you, here is a quote from the 18th-century French philosopher, wit and raconteur, Voltaire; "Life may be a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing heartily in the lifeboats." Now does that not crystallise what life is like in this current recession, with just a hint of optimism and stoicism. Very French!

From previous blogs, you will know that I am in favour of establishing strong leadership skills in these troubled times by developing the potential and talent already visible in the new executives. Perhaps a hint of that same lifeboat spirit would help strengthen the resolve of our future leaders and younger executives.

There are difficult questions to be asked. Are you using your current business challenges as a learning experience? Are you addressing the difficult decisions leaders must make to adjust to this dynamic ever-changing environment?

It is so easy to let the development and management of talented performers sink to the bottom of the priority list, especially for many companies today. Remember, the next generation of leaders is developing around you, whether you want them to or not and whether your helping them or not. The risk is that those who "self-select" into leadership roles aren't necessarily qualified enough to succeed in their aims, certainly not without strong guidance and/or appropriate mentoring.

This crippled economy, wrecked on the reef of bad management and greed, is giving the emerging IT leaders of tomorrow some unprecedented opportunities to stand out and step forward. In turn, we must remember it is our role to keep the chorus going in the lifeboats, loud and strong.

The leadersof tomorrow should be true captains of industry, able to plot a safe course for tomorrow's adventure and navigate the dangerous shallows of short term gains and diminishing returns.