http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0306/1224265692902.html?via=rel

Sagitta is the Latin name of a star constellation and the literal meaning is Arrow. The words we associate with Sagitta are:

Clear Direction

Future Focused

Guidance and Speed

Moving Forward

Hitting the Target

Universal

His recollections were positive as he considered his success rather than his disappointments. He reflected on the importance of teamwork and the great success he had achieved. More importantly he looked to his future and how he would focus on training horses. It made me think of the many people who are leaving organisations now and often not by choice. Optimism and confidence is important in these situations. The ability to overcome initial disappointment and reflect on your past in a way that draws out the positives is a considerable strength. Taking the time to consider what you have learned, what you have achieved and the challenges you have overcome, can place you in the frame of mind for building a future rather than lamenting a past.

In his interview Mick Kinnane reflected on the highly competitive environment of the racing world, he recalled the physical effort and the dedication required to be successful. He also recalled the good luck and the great people he had met through his career. When asked by the interviewer how he dealt with the bad times, I was taken by his answer he said “it’s not how you fall it’s how you pick yourself up.” Such resilience is something that can be applied equally to our life in organisations. The resilience to maintain optimism, the resilience to push on through adversity. The ability to see the positives, move on from past mistakes and demonstrate resilience by our ability to overcome the bad times and look forward, not back.

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Is there a real understanding both at an organisational level and even more importantly at a broader socio-economic level that “tomorrow will never be the same as Yesterday”?

My own view, is that we are going through a fundamental period of change that is not cyclical in the traditional sense.

More importantly what do we as Leaders, responsible citizens and parents need to do, to ensure that the “Tomorrow” we create is one of sustainability and holds a solid future for the next generation? My interest here is specifically at an organisational level, although more and more our work existence is inextricably linked with our personal lives.

As Leaders and influencers, it beholds all of us to consider our roles in the shaping of that future. I have been struck over the past 10 years of the move away within organisations from the basic disciplines of good corporate management. The move towards largesse has not just affected our personal lives but also corporate balance sheets.

The basic principles of managing corporate costs, as if it were coming from our own pockets has in the past been forgotten. Compromised by the fact that for many, the quality of fiscal management of our own personal wealth has also been questionable. Tomorrow, we must ensure that the concept of affordability, budgetary constraint, integrity and a real sense of value for money are essentials in leading and managing our businesses regardless of their size.

We are commercially in one of the most challenging periods for any generation of leaders across the spectrum, either politically or organisationally. Our “yesterday” was characterised by a benign market environment, and a relative ease with which we could achieve success. The shaping of tomorrow requires innovation, a higher skill base and more importantly the recognition of those people in our organisations who have the ability, courage and confidence to make the right decisions.

Of course the two fundamental questions for each one of us, is firstly, whether we, as individuals, want to recreate Yesterday as a model for our future or do we want to begin the process of building a sustainable Tomorrow. Secondly do we have the moral, political and leadership courage to take the decisions and make the necessary changes to build a better future.