1

Your attentive support has made my job rather easy tonight. I’ve tried to share four ways to [insert]. In return, I hope you’ll spread the message to your colleagues and friends.

2

I know that we’ve all been told that there’s nothing much we can do about the situation. Many of us may feel like the little girl who kept standing up in the front car seat. Finally, her mother pulled the car off onto the shoulder of the road and yanked the child down in the seat, fastening her into the seat belt. The little girl pouted and then after a minute snapped at her mother, “I may be sitting down, but in my heart I’m still standing up.”

Well, I identify with that feeling. This situation has us sitting down, but in my heart, I’m still standing up. And I’m asking that each of you stand up with me. I challenge you to find a way to change things at every opportunity.
As I see it, we’re all in this together. We’re at a decision point as a group and as individuals. We can sit and think. Or we can band together and act. I prefer to act. How about you?

3

I’ve not really said all I want to say on this subject, but I’m going to stop because my plane takes off in exactly two hours. However, I hope you’ll take off on these ideas immediately—within the hour. Tell a friend.

4

Thank you for your invitation, your attention, your support. All that remains is your action.

5

I’m tired of hearing the same answer to every question: “It depends.” If you, too, are ready for some straight answers, demand them. I encourage you to get vocal every chance you get.

6

I think many of us feel like the executive who had employees waking him up before dawn one morning. One called about a problem in Detroit and asked him to get on a plane and come help him out. Before he could get dressed, another one phoned from the plant across town to tell him about another problem and to ask what to do. Within the next hour, he’d had three more such calls. Without breakfast, he hurried out to the garage to find that his car wouldn’t start. So he called a taxi. And when the taxi driver pulled over and asked him where to, he muttered, “It doesn’t matter—they’ve got problems anywhere you take me.”
If we’re honest, we’ll have to say that our organization has problems—lots of them. And any of them can use our attention.

But my suggestion is that we get focused. I’ve tried to outline here today four key steps we need to take immediately. I challenge you to get their address and head in that direction.

7

Together we can accomplish great things—things more important and more meaningful than I’ve even outlined here tonight. You will be the final source of those good ideas. You will be the driving force that launches us in the right direction. More power to you.

8

Write…. Phone…. Fax…. Throw a tantrum in the middle of the street…. But do something. Your job depends on it.