When Air Traffic Control (ATC) puts an airplane into a holding pattern, it's usually for a short period of time and for a specific reason such as heavy traffic or bad weather. Pilots know to fly a route direct to a specific point in space and then fly a predetermined pattern around that point until cleared to Move Forward with their flight.

Today, too many businesses get stuck in a holding pattern of their own where the leader sees no way out and the next steps to Move Forward are just not obvious. Like a hamster on a wheel, they find themselves running fast, expending plenty of energy, but getting nowhere. The leader worries about providing for their family, leaving a legacy and taking care of employees. And their self-esteem suffers as they see their peers and competitors succeed.

A holding pattern for pilots is a normal part of flying. For business owners, it represents pain, suffering, and frustration.

Fortunately, you don't have to be stuck in a holding pattern - going round and round, expending all your fuel. For more than 20 years, I've been helping businesses attain dramatic, decisive and life-changing turnarounds based on a proven methodology to help power out of that holding pattern and Move Forward.

This methodology is outlined in my Success Model posted below. it is simple, direct and very effective. I've used this model with each of my successful business turnarounds and it works.

Chuck's Success Model

Think of this model like this: It starts with a strong foundation upon which each of the remaining elements can be built upon as part of the pyramid. There is no Success without all the elements layered in.

Anyone can execute them - you can execute them!

It all starts with leadership, and that means you, the leader of the organization. Everying your business accomplishes and produces begins with you as the leader.

You're the one who has to step up and lead by establishing the Vision, the Strategy as to how to attain the Vision and then set the pace with an Aligned set of Actions. It is only then that true Accountability and Success can be attained.

In  my experience, "great leaders" come from the ranks of those who are dedicated to improving themselves and others as much as they are dedicated to the success of their businesses.

If you're ready to break your business out of a holding pattern and get back to Moving Forward, answering these questions is a great place to start:

• What is holding you back from becoming a better leader?
• What elements need to be added in order for you to be a better leader?
• What would change in your organization if you were a better leader?

You can find out more about this Success Model and explore this back-to-basics approach in my book, Pinnacle Leadership, available at www.chuckgumbert.com or Amazon.