Steve,

That is a very good observation and attitude. When people in an organization hear what they perceive as the "leader" giving up, where does that leave the "followers"? (or readers).

Just imagine how Winston Churchill must of felt in October 1940 when Hitler was on the march, France had surrendered and the British people were alone. Churchill said in the close of one of his speaches to the nation at the time, "No one can predict, no one can even imagine how this terrible war against German and Nazi agression will run its course or how far it will spread or how long it will last. Long dark months of trials and tribulations lie before us. Not only great dangers, but many more misfortunes, many shortcomings, many mistakes, many disappointments will surely be our lot. Death and sorrow will be the companions of our journey; hardship, our garment; constancy and valour our only shield. We must be united, me must be undaunted, we must be inflexible. Our qualities and deeds must burn and glow through the gloom of Europe until they become the veritable beacon of its salvation.

Churchill could of spent his time speaking and lamenting about how things used to be, but what good would that have done. Instead, he set about to inspire his people to victory through the strength and confidence of his spoken word.

Hopeless? No.

Huge challenge? Yes.

Take a look at how things have gone at Politico, which started on the Web but makes more money off a print product.