Insights from Remarkable Business People (Collections)

What I Learned at the U.S. Naval Academy

Captain D. Michael Abrashoff

It may sound unfeeling, but I notice that hard times aren't all bad. They force people with or without jobs to stay calm, overcome reverses, make the best of whatever happens. They're often the most fertile times for growing what every business needs—proven leaders.

Right now, companies everywhere are stretching their people to work harder and do more with less. In this Darwinian situation, the winners are those who accept being stretched, but on terms favorable to themselves. That doesn't mean the winners are all me-firsters. In a healthy organization, the most valued stretchers ...