The strength of a company is built on the mission the company serves. The stronger, clearer, and more positive the mission, the stronger the company. Everyone wants success first and foremost. Few follow the mission and stay disciplined, discriminating, and forthright. However, the clearest path to success is to defend the mission of your company, eliminating opportunities and individuals that distract or undermine this mission. These short-term challenges will bring long-term gains.

The strength of a company is the strength of its leadership. It is not the technology, nor the product, nor the opportunity, nor the market need. The strength or weakness is in the leaders. Their fortitude and resolve will hold the company together in times of failure and setback, and, more importantly, in times of success. Their humility and flexibility coupled with fierce strength and tenacity can serve any company well. Greed, opportunism, and self-importance are the seeds of failure.