Do We Need A Statue of Responsibility?

It was the renowned scholar Viktor Frankl (who wrote the amazing book Man’s Search For Meaning) that recommended that a Statue of Responsibility be erected on the west coast to compliment the Statue of Liberty on the east coast.

Politicians regularly pass laws that (so they believe) create new rights. Marketers regularly insist that we have a right (i.e. we deserve) to their products.  Lawyers incessantly remind us of our rights.

Trouble is…great countries, great companies, great families didn’t get that way by  emphasizing ‘rights’.  Rather, they became great by emphasizing ‘responsibilities’.

Frankl was on to something!

Breakthroughs Aren’t For The Faint of Heart

Robert Shiller, a Yale economist, is probably best known for having written Irrational Exuberance—the 2004 book that was prescient in foretelling the nation’s debilitating  housing crisis. He attributes the approach he took in his book to advice his father had given him—namely to “pursue things that sound [and feel] right to you”.

Shiller notes in Fortune (Dec 12, 2011) , “I said in the preface I was worried that the boom in home prices might collapse,bring on bankruptcy in both business and households, and lead to a world recession. I remember thinking that this sounds kind of flaky–nobody else is saying this.  I can’t prove it, this could be embarrassing.  But I learned from my father not to care what other people think. This was my book, and I believed this, so I just said it.”

I really relate to Shiller…having taken on some sacred cows myself in The Power of Professionalism.

Like Shiller, there are aspects of The Power of Professionalism that I can’t prove. And, like Shiller, no one in (or outside) of my field was advocating what I was. Yes, I believed…so, like Shiller, I just said what I had to say.  It felt right to me.

Turns out, a lot of people (many experts in my field) believed in the ideas that I was advancing.  That’s really validating; but also can lend itself to an inflated ego (believing one’s press clippings usually proves self-defeating).  The social acclaim and ego rush of being right (when that’s the case) isn’t the point.

What is the point is how your point-of-view helps people or things that are bigger than you.  It’s all about Mind-Set #2 (being a part of something bigger than yourself).

Got an idea or point-of-view that you think warrants advancing?  First, do your homework. Think deeply about it.  Scrutinize it from every angle.Tear it apart.   Challenge your assumptions. Then make ‘little bets‘ (see the book of the same name by my friend Peter Sims) …test the premise out with friends, with adversaries…write about it.  Soon enough you’ll know whether or not you’re on to something.

You’ll know it’s right when it sounds and feels right to you. At that point, if you’ve still got something to say, go ahead….say it!

 

 

 

Professionals Don’t Trash Their Competition

Business requires we compete.  But most people intuitively sense that there’s a right way and a wrong way to compete.  One of the wrong ways is ‘going negative’. This is something that professionals know only too well.   Trashing your competition may provide a short term adrenalin rush, but long term goes over like a lead balloon.  People only want to be exposed to that type of rhetoric for so long, and soon after they’ll turn you off.  Worse yet, it makes you look petty.

People prefer to be for something as opposed to being against something….it generates more enthusiasm, more energy.  People want to know what your value proposition is…how you can help them…what you’re all about…why you’re better.  Trash your competition at your own risk.

Take the case of the PR firm that was hired by Facebook to “plant anti-Google stories in papers and blogs”.  This revelation was outlined in the Nov 29, 2011 cover story in Fortune regarding the future of social media and the fight between the industry’s two 800 pound gorillas.

Journalists soon discovered what the PR firm was up to.  This hurt the PR firm’s reputation and once again proves why white collar firms aren’t necessarily ‘professional’.  Facebook would have been better served to channel their energy into building a better product.  Instead, Facebook’s decision proved regretful and made the firm look sophomoric.

Compete?  Sure.  But don’t be tempted to take the low road.  Professionals compete to win in the marketplace—-not by ‘going negative’ on their competition.

It Gets Worse–Legalized Insider Trading Revealed In 60 Minutes Story

After writing The Power of Professionalism there are (literally) hundreds of illustrative stories about distrust that I could share with readers if I chose to.  Almost always I chose not to share them—largely because people have become desensitized.  There’s too many and, cumulatively, they become too painful. People know there’s a big problem with distrust–there’s no sense piling on.

That said, a recent story is worthy of sharing–because it exposes (essentially ) legalized political insider trading in Washington. We have 60 Minutes story– Congress Trading Stock Insider Information to thank.

If you have had any doubts about why Congress is the second least trusted entity behind Wall Street, this vignette should convince you why the public holds Congress in such contempt.  This story, once again, demonstrates why we need professionals who happen to be politicians–not professional politicians!

Where’s The Professionals When You Most Need Them?

Sad, but not surprising, news—Americans’ distrust of government is at its highest level ever. 89% say they distrust government to do the right thing. 84% believe the country is on the wrong track.  We’re in uncharted waters here.

A democracy depends on trust.  Without it the country suffers in a big way–just as it is now.

The answer?  Professionals who happen to be politicians…not professional politicians.

Whose Money Is It?

Paraphrasing the renowned economist Milton Friedman, “people become especially generous with other people’s money.” Politicians do it, business people do it too!

From my point-of-view, professionals don’t play fast and loose with other people’s money – especially when they’re in a position to benefit personally from it.

Consider the employee who lives high-on-the-hog on the company dime. For example, choosing the Conde’ Nast featured restaurant with the $75 steaks while on a business trip. Or the consultant staying at the big-name Four-Star hotel with the 1,000 thread-count sheets? Would they make the same generous choices if it were their own money?…or would they make a different choice?

I realize that there are many instances in which the more generous choice (as a practical matter) makes great business sense—especially when it involves clients. Management is sometimes even couraging of such generosity. Sometimes it’s a way to reward employees. And sometimes there really isn’t a great (or appropriate) alternative to a more expensive option. Yet, these instances are far more the exception than the rule.

How many times have you heard someone boasting of staying at a prestigious Four Star Hotel while on business when the hotels they stayed at for their own vacation (and paid for with their own money) was consistently Three Stars (or less)? Inconsistencies of this type can be precursors to having others lose confidence in us.

Organizations expect people to act responsibly. It’s a sign of maturity and professionalism to treat other’s money like our own. It builds trustworthiness and one’s own self-esteem at the same time.  Granted, some may consider this example insignificant, but it’s one that can portent bigger, even more important, things.