Boiling The Ocean: Some Thoughts on Obama’s First Year
It’s been a big political week, and I’ve certainly had politics on the brain myself. As I’ve been reflecting on our current political situation, it strikes me that President Obama is making a classic first-time CEO mistake.
Very simply put: he’s trying to do too much. He lacks focus, prioritization and discipline — the key elements of successful execution and the fundamental traits of outstanding CEOs.
This trend started immediately upon his taking office and it continues. And though I was initially troubled by Obama’s approach, I bit my tongue thinking maybe the notion that many were purporting of this being a ‘reboot moment’ held water.
I was wrong. There is no such thing as a unique time that allows you to take on everything at once. A good CEO’s most important skills, in addition to fielding the best team available, are relentless focus on and prioritization of the most important issues at hand.
We need to start with the economy, and specifically job creation. Our manufacturing economy for all intents and purposes is dead. We don’t make anything anymore. China has officially kicked our ass, and if we don’t step up they’re going to keep kicking it.
Government must invest to create jobs and she must do so in ways that spur private sector advancement in the areas that matter most. This can and should include infrastructure projects, clean energy, health care initiatives and technology advancement. But we can’t try and fix the entirety of these areas in one fell swoop.
Only once we have begun to make a dent in the devastating economic issues that face us can we then turn to an aggressive policy agenda to remake some of our more formidable institutions. The best time to tackle tough issues is when things are going well, not when somewhere between 10% and 20% of the populous is out of work.
The President, for all his intelligence, good intention and natural ability to lead, is making rookie mistakes.
