Mike

Reading between the lines, I think we share a trait of watching movies and finding key truths of leadership embedded within them. In this case the question you reference, a very good one. I must admit I missed it in watching the Bourne series and reading the Ludlum books years back. Great job identifying this excellent thoughtful question.

There is no doubt that businesses have lost their sense of what they ask their employees to give. Hidden within the utilitarian ethical stance of taking care of the business and the majority of employees at the expense of the few who are let go, I believe we have not asked this question enough.

Have we really done everything necessary to help organizations survive hard times. Have we truly led organizations and stewarded them well so that when the economy turns we are not forced to ask employees to give that much more.

For me this is what leadership is about. Leading for the future even when it is easy to simply enjoy the present.  Leaders have a responsibility to those who grant them their leadership to do so with excellence and never take it for granted, never abuse the trust, never coast, never hide behind excuses when the economy turns...