Uncertainty

In “On becoming a leader”, Warren Bennis couldn’t wait to get straight to his first pointer: ” being aware of the time”. Tell that to the 800,000 GS-grade workers who would love to get a better read on the signs of the time. So is Wall Street and ROW.

CBO keeps crunching the numbers, anywhere from 3 to 11B USD loss during the 35 days of government shut-down. In crisis, there are opportunities. And in reverse, this time, a lot of people will be up on that Blue stage, making their elevator speech : “why vote for me”. On Becoming A President.

Yesterday (Jan 28, 2019), an Op-ed in WSJ mentioned that America lost Vietnam to save SEA. As if it were strategically well-planned and thought-out all along. As if back in the mid-40’s, America cared much for the Asia theater (pre-Pearl Harbor). Tell that to the millions who died ( and the numbers crunchers at CBO). And the current Filippino President who logs frequent miles to Beijing. Uncertainty again.

In chaos there are opportunities and exploitations, there are war profiteers and victims. In uncertainty, there are also profiteers and victims.

I remember years ago, business speaks were filled with “being pro-active”, “next level”, “paradigm shift” “re-engineering” and “positioning”.

Now, it’s 41% approval rate, 1 percenters, and 2% tax.

The times have changed. Except for the Patriots. And where are we without the Super Bowl. Without The Year of the Pig. Tradition illuminates in face of uncertainty. Yes, there are wagers in games. But at the end of the day, the two sides give each other a handshake. Unlike in war times and current time which is filled with divisive and destructive rhetoric.

I am absolutely certain that on becoming a leader, one needs to read the signs of the time. And currently, it’s uncertainty. BTW, it’s Feb 3 6:30PM kick-off in Atlanta. That’s one thing for certain.