While recently visiting my parents, I had the opportunity to witness the utmost of customer service in action. What frightened me is how surprised I was – when did expecting stellar service go by the wayside?

The simplest of exchanges resulted in a raving fan and delighted customer. It is amazing what happens when an individual LOVES what he/she does and is committed to being the BEST in the service he/she provides. What so many of us could learn from this example! If this is the standard approach of a Sears delivery team, this could perhaps be a turnaround in the making.

The crisis of the U.S. debt ceiling has taken over all our media channels. It is an issue which cannot be avoided or ignored. The inability of our country’s leaders to come to an agreement on how to move forward threatens the stability of our economy, our security, our credit rating, and potentially even the strategic financial future of the world.

As a business person, I can’t help but wonder why basic business principles can’t be applied to this situation. Those of us in business (and those managing our own households) must embrace reality regularly. We have to make brutally tough decisions every day. Funds are not unlimited; trade-offs must be made and faced. There is no magic button to push…no giant bank in the sky from which to borrow.

A few basic business thoughts for our government leaders to consider:

Our world is facing indisputable and daunting challenges. When we bring these issues home – to our own organizations, teams, and personal scenarios – they become even more real. Our security, on every level – our freedoms, our financial well being, the future for our children, and our own professional directions – stands at risk. Today I talk about how passionate curiosity, battling hardened confidence, team smarts, a simple mindset, and fearlessness play a role in leading change and achieving success.

Denny Strigl, of Verizon Wireless’ “Can you hear me now?” campaign fame, has a wonderful new book that speaks to leaders seeking a simple, yet actionable way to lead their teams and organizations. A few resonated with me:

A dear friend of mine passed on an article earlier this week: “18 Things I wish Someone Had Told me When I Was 18.” The entire article is worth a read – as the narrative is where the ‘good juice’ is. However I have condensed the 18 into this Fine Line – just to give you a taste:

Many of us find ourselves living in nostalgic memory of “what was,” rather than embracing what the present has to offer us. Many changes are our choice; others are forced upon us. Yet, one fact remains the same: we must learn to live and embrace what is now – not what was.

Many of you are contemplating new positions in your current organizations, exiting from existing companies to other related fields, and even going out on your own to try your hand in an entrepreneurial stint. The reasons for your changes are vast. Regardless of the reason why you are embarking upon change, this question invariably comes up:

“Now, what do I really want to do?!”

The pursuit of knowing yourself. Many of you who follow my writings and services, know how vital I believe true self-awareness is to us as leaders. This principle is also one of the foundations of a dear friend’s new and fabulous book, “If You Will Lead”, based in Rudyard Kipling’s beloved poem “If-“.

Many of us may be facing hard, relatively large, and potentially life-changing career decisions. Will we decide to stay in our current position or company even though we are not totally happy or fulfilled? Will we take that promotion which may bring greater span of control, power, and money though it may not be what we really want to do? Given the condition of the job market, will we decide to stay put despite being somewhat disenchanted?

This past week I had the incredible opportunity to see and hear His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, along with Sister Helen Prejean, of Dead Man Walking fame, and Vincent Harding, a long-time civil rights activist who worked tirelessly with Martin Luther King. The energy in the room was palpable. Whether you agree with their passionate positions on non-violence or not, their solidarity around tolerance, compassion and love is undeniable; and many of their messages are universal truths.