That’s not a common expression, but it should be. Such a simple and potent command, it’s key to change leadership. Not only does it change others, but also changes anyone who lives it. That’s the paradox. At first, it sounds only like advice on how to treat others: acknowledge and reward behavior that you want to occur more frequently in the future. Of course, it means just that. However, relationships are systems; in the attempt to change others, you make yourself a better person too.

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People learn vicariously. Remember, babies learn language by watching lips, observing adult reaching behavior and listening to the sounds from our mouths. It’s an amazing feat. Then society sends children to school to make them dumb, but that’s another story.

Adults also learn vicariously. You would think leaders would know that. Leaders model behavior for everyone they lead.  The lack of awareness on the part of unscrupulous leaders, or let’s say insensitive leaders, provides observers with frequent comic relief.

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Frontier Example

Secrets of success were shared at last week’s Colorado Business Show, so it sounds like odd advice not to have any secrets. Those are the words of Frontier Airlines chairman Sam Addoms. “The effects are rather stunning. You eliminate the ruling class of an organization.” The ruling class holds power by withholding information. In addition, you eliminate the need for the “the CIA”.

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A lesson in unintended consequences.

A high ranking official, from a nearby Asian country, is enjoying his meal at an important function in one of China’s best five-star hotels, when one of his chopsticks breaks. The shame and embarrassment to the hotel and to the country is deep. Everyone involved has lost face.

The next morning, the hotel’s General Manager (GM) calls a meeting of all department heads to find out why the chopstick broke. Who is to blame?

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Hurry up and Die

About six weeks ago, I wrote about the federal deficit jumping 40% in five years to $8.2 trillion, but that’s deceitful. Turns out, the real, accrued exposure is actually $46 trillion, up from $20 trillion in 2000. When accrual accounting standards, not lemonade-stand accounting practices, are applied to the federal government balance sheet, the US is headed toward a perfect storm of fiscal collapse. As a worker today, you owe $375,000. The best way to avoid paying your share is to hurry up and die before the IOU comes due. If that's not an option...

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