This year is going to be tough. The forecasters are all over the place about the outlook.

Which indicators you use in your planning – economic growth, profit levels, unemployment rates, commodity prices, the value of the dollar, or others – how you see 2010 may be very different from the person right next to you. We are in a period of uncertainty. You can expect to face continual demands on your leadership and management skills. Some leaders will fail; they won’t be up to the demands. Others will shine and may look back on 2010 at a year that really fueled their career trajectory.

Here are five tips that could ensure you’re in the latter group:

1. Remember that it’s not what – but who. The most important decisions you will make as a leader; are always about people. You may think they’re about systems, things, or money, but they aren’t. When I sit with clients and discuss the best and worst decisions they remember making, it’s always the people ones. Surrounding yourself with the best people is important at all times of course. But during uncertain times – it’s critical.

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