Pick a President like you'd pick a CEO

In the latest issue of Business Week (Feb. 4, 2008), Jack and Suzy Welch answer a question from a reader (page 88) asking, "What caracteristics would you say are most important when choosing a company CEO or the next U.S. President?"

They have long advocated six key business leadership characteristics, and they apply them to the problem of picking a CIC instead of a CEO. Most telling to me was the first one:

Take authenticity, the foremost quality business leaders must possess. It's equally crucial for a President, and for the same reason: trust. When President is trying to promote a major initiative or lead through a crisis, the nation can't be embroiled in a debate about his or her sincerity.

Well, there goes Hillary ... wiped off my list (still!).

Now I just have to look for that quality (and the other five) in the pool of candidates that are left. We're down to seven serious contenders now, and I honestly can't say I like any of them. I fully expect to enter the polling booth this November with my nose held, and vote more against one than for the other. I still haven't made up my mind which corner I'll stand in come caucus day ... and it's coming up quickly!

Dealing with negative people

From the web:

This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. Remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less, tries to make your life miserable:

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her boyfriend. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded, "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty and full of Italians. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"

"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"

"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."

"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks it's gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly and they're overpriced. So, whatcha doing when you get there?"

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it!"

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.

"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28 year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.

And, the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "That's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."

"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors. He asked if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."

"Oh, really! What'd he say?"

He said, "Where'd you get the crappy hairdo?"