| There is a disastrous state of leadership in | | | | our elected officials are first and foremost |
| our national government. Our political | | | | committed to keeping their jobs and getting |
| system has devolved to a state of | | | | promoted. And I don't care what bill of goods |
| territorial agenda, short-sighted positioning | | | | someone may be trying to sell, the point of |
| and religious manipulation. Kind of like | | | | view from the "keep my job" reality is |
| what one would expect in a new government | | | | COMPLETELY different than the point of view |
| such as Iraq. But not here! | | | | from the "do what's best for the customers" |
| | | | reality. |
| Let's see here: a disastrous military | | | | |
| engagement, global terrorism, global warming, | | | | One of the fundamental elements of human |
| a chaotic immigration system, corruption, | | | | nature is that we will always focus our |
| out-of-control health care costs, | | | | attention, both consciously and |
| irresponsible deficits, and an energy policy | | | | subconsciously, on whatever we are measuring. |
| that ensures our addiction to foreign oil for | | | | That which we measure, therefore, determines |
| decades. | | | | what actions we will take and the quality of |
| | | | those actions. If achieving the measured |
| In the midst of these urgent challenges, our | | | | result is important enough to us, or if we |
| elected leaders selfishly busy themselves | | | | can rationalize it enough, we are extremely |
| with partisan politics and maneuvering to | | | | tolerant of the unintended consequences of |
| ensure control of one party over the other, | | | | those actions, even if we would NEVER choose |
| all the while sabotaging each other's efforts | | | | to produce those results. |
| to deal intelligently with these serious | | | | |
| issues. This isn't about Democrats or | | | | Map all of this on to the black comedy |
| Republicans. This is about charlatans of all | | | | unfolding in our nation's capital and it |
| persuasions. | | | | appears that we have elected an army of |
| | | | well-meaning people who has a value system |
| The biggest impediment to leadership in our | | | | based on self-promotion, survival and keeping |
| government is that America doesn't elect | | | | the boss happy. |
| "leaders". We elect "managers". We put people | | | | |
| in power who are well-suited for popular | | | | Well, that value system may be fine if you're |
| elections, but don't have a clue what it | | | | hiring a summer manager for your ice cream |
| means to "lead". They know what it means to | | | | store at the beach, or even if you want a |
| "get promoted" and "keep their jobs". Ugh! | | | | loyal partisan to manage your car plant in |
| | | | Iowa. But it totally sucks for hiring someone |
| Think about it. A manager is primarily | | | | who is going to have to deal with complicated |
| responsible to his "boss", and, ideally to | | | | political, economic and environmental |
| the organization. He's "interested in" the | | | | challenges that plunge entire regions of the |
| customer's needs, but mainly because | | | | world into death and chaos. |
| responding to those needs in a cost-effective | | | | |
| way promotes the success of the company. And | | | | We need to stop putting managers in positions |
| make no mistake about it, to a manager the | | | | that demand leaders. We need people of |
| life and health of the organization is | | | | courage and vision, and we need to reward |
| everything. Yes, some managers do grow | | | | them for being willing to upset the status |
| disillusioned with the organization, and | | | | quo, rather than punishing them as soon as |
| leave it. But those who stay have a vested | | | | they say or do something that ticks off our |
| interest in the organization, MUCH more so | | | | little corner of the neighborhood. |
| than they have to the customers or any | | | | |
| particular "customer service" policy. | | | | Leadership is about finding a way to cause |
| | | | excellence and greatness. Nobody said that |
| Isn't that what we're seeing in Washington? | | | | is an easy task. So what? Stop making |
| Our elected Representatives tow the "party" | | | | excuses! I don't give a flying hoot if you, |
| line, they do what their "bosses" tell them | | | | Mr. Congressman, or Mr. Senator or Mr. |
| to do, or else they won't get that bonus (aka | | | | PRESIDENT, have to sacrifice everything |
| "earmark") or promotion (committee | | | | you've got. I don't care how hard it is, or |
| assignments!). If they want to keep their | | | | how much ridicule and abuse you have to |
| jobs, they do what the organization (aka, | | | | endure. I don't care if you are frowned upon |
| "their party") wants them to do. They help | | | | by your "bosses" or if you miss out on the |
| each other out and they always try to stay in | | | | juicy bonuses. You asked for the opportunity |
| front of the competition. Like the manager, | | | | to lead, so LEAD! |