Capitalizing on Crisis

is what the Obama Administration is about, according to the Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel. I heard his quote on BBC Radio today:

"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. You want to use it to get things done that you normally would not be able to do."

What that means for us is that the "Economic Stimulus" package is not particularly aimed at stimulating the economy, but is a cover for expanding government to include everything on the Democratic Party Wishlist.

The "Era of Big Government" never really went away. George Bush expanded government more like a liberal than a conservative, but his moves now look like baby steps in light of the staggering new expansion that is taking place.

Mentors Prompt Insight & Action

...through asking questions, not simply giving advice.

Last week I taught a Mentoring Seminar and had two senior mentors share with the class their secrets of mentoring. Both of them said much the same thing that Seth Godin shares in his blog:

You're nuts if you believe me

I'm the first person to admit that compared to you, I have no idea what I'm talking about. You're there, doing what you do, and doing it with skill.

Let me be really clear: My job is not to tell you what to do. I don't know what to do. You do.

Not just me, of course. Everybody with a blog or a book or an interest in your success. Don't do what they say. Listen to their questions instead.

My job is provoke you into asking hard questions. Ask those questions to your boss and your co-workers and yourself. It's easy to show that self-aware decisions and thoughtful strategies outperform blind stumbling.

I don't have a lot of patience for this list of seven rules or that manual of how it's supposed to be or the step-by-step road map you can purchase today only. I think you'll do a lot better if you get optimistic about the future and cynical about pat answers at the same time instead.