Daily Lesson from Life 17 February 2009

No News Headline for today!

Watching CNBC over the last few days provided me with very interesting entertainment as the many invited 'talking heads' debated passionately and vigorously on the pros and cons of the US$787B stimuli package.

Lessons for me are:

1. for some weired reasons, each of the experts seemed bent on insisting on one view or the other as the gospel truth! Those for the markets to sort things out vs. those for the government to intervene. NOT many seems to be able to see that the issues are not that simple and demanded a balance approach that combine the pro-market and pro-government intervention measures!;

2. when each insisted on their own arguments and points of view without any consideration for 'looking at the issues from the other sides', the debate inevitably comes to some sort of shouting match! Or the ones with the most aggressive speaking style dominate or able to get in the last words before the cameras went off! This DOES NOT offer a high quality of debate at all!!;

3. as leaders we need to listen to opposing views, then consider them seriously and without bias (hard to do but must be attempted) on what can you do to provide satisfactory answers to these opposing views instead of just insisting that you are right and they are wrong! Focused on the facts and figures and not attacking the people who opposed your views or questioned your views. It is easier to just bulldoze your way especially since you have the power as leaders. BUT it is more productive if you can persuade with facts and figures and asked what helps are needed for you to fully convince the doubters!

Remember: A balance approach is the key to solving real problems especially when the problems need more than just 1 or 2 persons to pool resources and talents together to solve as a team!