The Turnaround Specialist's 15 Skills

President Barack Obama has been given the task of turning around the mother of all startups, the American economy. You could make a case that the president is responsible for turning around planet Earth, whose economic sun is the U.S. You couldn't inherit a situation that is much worse than our current economy.

The president is an experienced, successful startup guy, as evidenced by his community-organizing work and political campaigns. Lucky for the country and the world, Obama appears to possess traits and skills that will undoubtedly allow him to succeed. I have run four turnarounds, wrote a book on the subject, "Small Business Turnaround," and have worked and talked with many turnaround experts. The following are the 15 skills and traits you need to rebuild a company.

1. Optimism: Entrepreneurs and good turnaround professionals share the optimism gene. You have to be a "true believer" in what you're doing or the troops won't follow you. Worse, your clients, prospects and the suppliers that keep you alive won't believe you, and the game will be over very fast.

2. Calmness: When all around you is falling apart and gale force winds are ripping off the siding of your once-indestructible building, you have to come across as unflappable and in control. Obama is a prime example. We watched other candidates crumble, but he looked composed. He reassured his troops that the storms would pass. He reminded them to stay focused and on plan.

3. Good listener: Everyone involved in a turnaround, from employees to customers to suppliers, is a stakeholder in the success of the business. Ignoring or dismissing people's suggestions is a quick way to destroy support and morale. You don't have to accept and implement everyone's ideas, but you do need to give them a fair audience. Obama has been smart in reaching across the aisle and listening to Republicans. He might not like or agree with their ideas, but he is engendering a good working relationship.