I have been reading M. Gladwell’s latest book “Outliers” and have confirmed once again how it truly “takes a village,” not only to raise a child, as Mrs. Clinton wrote in her well known book, but also to reach your human potential. Gladwell contends that “the culture we belong to and the legacies passed down by our forbearers shape the patterns of our achievement in ways we cannot begin to imagine.”

If we are to succeed in the present business climate, it is imperative to look at the “ecology” of our organizations and finds ways to work together. Research shows that leaders believe we need collaboration skills more than anything else. There is a strong need for developing a supportive community in the workplace if we want to succeed in our present world.

It is time to Stand for Change! As I write this, Barack Obama is four days away from his inauguration as president of the United States. He ran on a platform of Change and Hope. Today’s leaders also need to think about hope, action, and change.

Today, as reported in the New York Times, he again talked about change, returning to the now familiar theme. “It’s not too late to change course, but only if we take dramatic action as soon as possible,” Mr. Obama said, speaking to workers in a suburb of Cleveland, pitching his economic recovery plan.