As Warren Buffet says, don't confuse the success of the stock market with the state of the economy and employment, as the two often do not align. Despite the Dow Jones hitting its historic highest level this month, the gap between a company's success and the American workers employed by them, could continue to deteriorate, as federal budget cuts mandated by sequestration begin. Corporations, influenced by greater productivity from technology, faster growth in emerging economies and continued job cuts, will continue to be able to maintain margins and drive productivity.

In life, there are controllable and uncontrollable variables. The reality is that unless you are in a senior leadership position in Congress or the president of the United States, your voice doesn't count despite what people tell you, and you won't have any meaningful impact on public policy. Staying focused on the business fundamentals of running your business, will provide the greatest chances for continued success.

David Walker, the seventh comptroller general of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office for almost 10 years, compares the present-day U.S. to the Roman Empire in decline, with unsustainable policies and practices and long-term obligations underwater to the tune of $50 trillion. His theme is that we have not had an honest discussion about what we value in our entitlement programs, what they will truly cost and who will pay for them. He says what's needed from Washington is “leadership rather than laggardship.”

As with any effective criteria-based decision-making business process, his solutions test for leaders includes asking the following questions: Does it make economic sense? Is it socially equitable? Is it culturally acceptable? Does it pass a basic math test? Is it politically feasible? And can it achieve meaningful bipartisan support?

My point of view is pretty consistent. Leaders need to lean forward into the opportunities ahead. They won't get distracted by the Washington bureaucrats that deaden the brain and your creative thinking. They will continue to build business plans that have accountability and responsibility to shareholders and members.

They know that enthusiasm and attitude are everything in life. They will limit their consumption of the news from predictable media, which provides confusing rhetoric and instead choose to get a deeper understanding of emerging technology trends, their impact on consumers and develop products and services that can be accretive to their shareholders or members. They will develop criteria for talent and aggressively pursue those people who share their values and want to enjoy a better life.

Stuart R. Levine is chairman/CEO of Stuart Levine & Associates. He can be reached at (516) 465-0800 or stuartlevine.com.