I'm on my way to the USA again, flying over the Pacific toward LA as I type this. After 10 years away, some things have stayed the same, and some things have changed. But, the things which have stayed the same are bigger surprises to me than the things that have changed.
Somehow, I thought the last 10 years might have created, within my homeland, a greater understanding of the world. I left in 1996 and came to Australia. That was just the beginning of the Internet boom, and formost in my mind was the idea that the Internet was surely going to bring people together, create a sense of greater harmony and purpose among world nations. Such a dream was not to be. Whether by design or by misfortune, the USA is even more isolated in its world-view than it was when I left.
I think the technology obstacles were the first to hit me. Nobody can figure out how to dial my international phone number. The dot-au at the end of my email address seems to have even the well-educated flummoxed.
Then, I started talking to people and found out that the world I see looking in is so different from the one looking outward from the USA.
From outside, I still see the USA as strong, a leader in culture, ideas, and especially in the potential of the human spirit. I am thrilled to be returning, visiting, exploring new business ideas. Naturally, I see the problems in reconciling the events of 911 with policy and practice and culture. Nobody envies the USA the task of sorting out the myriads of issues which are vying for control of political and personal agendas.
From inside, the USA I used to know has changed. It is paranoid, self-consumed, directing energy randomly.
In short, to those in the USA, the threat the rest of the world presents is greater than the opportunity.
Anyone who knows business knows that innovation, leadership and progress require bold vision, but even moreso require that you look clearly at your market, your competitors, and not fear them. To take control of a market, you can't be intimidated by obstacles, but must embrace them, find them the sweetest challenge, and have a clarity of vision greater than your rivals.
Leadership and fear are incompatible.
This is the crucial lesson the USA needs to re-learn.
Politics aside, what a nice bit of writing. "The sweetest challenge" is lovely - almost, um, er, poetic?!
And oh yes, leadership and fear are certainly incompatible. Especially when the fear is mostly manufactured in the first place. I enjoyed the post.
Posted by: amazingg | May 15, 2005 at 01:14 PM