welcome to my first blog

My intention with these short missives is to provoke discussions on where business and politics converge and the effects that has on the economic wellbeing of us all.

With an election in the UK looming and our American cousins about to head into a Presidential race I am reminded that we live in a democracy, something our forefathers fought and died for to allow the World to enjoy. Yet democracy, as we view it in 2015, both in politics and business can often be a hindrance to substantive progress.

Whilst running a successful business should be based on a series of associations and partnerships, both internal and external; one thing it is not is a democracy!  Too many businesses stagnate through behaving as meritocracies, there is too much well intentioned navel gazing, gaining consensus, meetings about meetings and compromises’ that end up helping no one because the compromise simply panders to a belief that everybody must have an equal say.

This condition is generally referred to as “political” correctness.

Many businesses have lost sight of the original commitment that their founders had, a single minded purpose driven by belief. A belief held in 99% of cases by one – or at most – two people. They were leaders, taking the tough decisions and accepting accountability for them for the long haul.

In this election year I am reminded that too often in our western style democracies our political “leaders” are no such thing. They are career politicians who act like the managers cited above using the same type of metrics in order to get from one election to the next with little thought beyond that. This is unlike leaders of previous generations, those who fought so hard for our freedoms; they were statesman who thought about the impact of their decisions on the next generation and beyond.

In both business and politics what democracy needs is a reboot that takes out all the malware and cookies that have invaded it over the last 50 years. A reboot in the hands of those acting on their beliefs, demonstrating through words and deeds that their vision for the future is compatible with the core tenants of democracy; yet leading - perhaps where others fear to tread. 

Leaders who will take us all to a place where decisiveness, common sense and the plainly obvious are not frowned upon nor talked into meaningless compromise  but embraced and applauded.

©David Smallman 2015