Stop! Trump is Not Hitler
The election is over. We have a new President and leader.
I am not a Donald Trump fan and can tell you at length why I give his leadership style a low grade. But, Americans support his approach to important issues facing the country.
I cannot have a simple conversation with many friends and business colleagues without hearing that Trump is Hitler, a threat to democracy, and a criminal. On election day, I had a scheduled call with a woman I had not previously met. She started the call by asking who I voted for. I said who I voted for had nothing to do with our call. She refused to talk to me and hung up.
I was elected Democratic Nominee for the US Congress from the 5th Congressional District in Massachusetts. Governor Mitt Romney, Republican, appointed me to chair the board of directors of a quasi-public bank/VC firm in Massachusetts. I have also been a consultant at the highest levels of national environmental and energy regulation development. I have strong and deeply informed opinions about politics and government policy.
I also know that my views are my views, and I have lots to learn from others with different approaches and life experiences. We held an election to choose a new President. The election is settled. Now is the time to talk with each other, learn from each other, and find ways to work together.
Our political system and government are stronger, over time, when there is strong competition between different approaches to government policies. I will strongly advocate for my position, but I know that I can learn from those advocating a different approach. When we find common ground, the result is usually a better long-term solution.
When you convene a team meeting to work on your response to a threatening new competitor in your market, you are responsible for establishing the culture and ground rules. Yes, you want each team member to contribute their views strongly and clearly. You also want every contribution to be treated with respect. Be clear that, “That’s a stupid idea!,” is out of bounds.
Also expect every team member to be prepared to defend, develop, and expand on their ideas. And all points of view, including your own, can be challenged. Asking questions and listening to each other is the path to discovery and learning.
Window Box, Charleston, SC
I attended the Renaissance Weekend retreat over the New Year’s weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. When I was not engaged with challenging discussions about going to the Mars and lessons learned from the election, I walked around historic Charleston. I visited Ft. Sumter where the American Civil War started.
Charleston is beautiful and well preserved. It is similar to Annapolis, Maryland, and Salem, Massachusetts, but on a larger scale. I visited historic homes and the slave market. As I walked the streets, windows were particularly fascinating. Windows open our home to what is outside and are also an introduction to what is inside.
