Comments on: Power and Influence 2006 http://www.lmmiller.com/blog/the-new-capitalism/2006/07/07/power-and-influence-2006/ The Continuous Search for the Keys to Cultures of Quality and Commitment Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:25:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Richard John http://www.lmmiller.com/blog/the-new-capitalism/2006/07/07/power-and-influence-2006/#comment-1145 Richard John Mon, 10 Jul 2006 15:17:55 +0000 http://www.lmmiller.com/blog/the-new-capitalism/2006/07/07/power-and-influence-2006/#comment-1145 Nye defined soft-power as “getting others to want the outcomes that you want” One of the military definitions of leadership is, “Getting other people to do what you want them to do, while making them believe they are doing what THEY want to do”. As such, Nye’s thoughts are not that original, just the context is different. However, what I think is more important in this perspective is the clear expression in long term investment that some politicians and some CEOs can not perceive. They fail to see past the end of this year’s budget deliverables or share dividend. Many modern companies and governments (today countries have to be run as companies) run the risk of not only failing to invest overseas for enhanced security, but also in their own countries for the long term development of their own raw materials (people). A lack of government investment in social and educational development at home may save their budget on a year to year basis, but will lead to significant problems in the long term. Nye defined soft-power as “getting others to want the outcomes that you want”

One of the military definitions of leadership is, “Getting other people to do what you want them to do, while making them believe they are doing what THEY want to do”. As such, Nye’s thoughts are not that original, just the context is different.
However, what I think is more important in this perspective is the clear expression in long term investment that some politicians and some CEOs can not perceive. They fail to see past the end of this year’s budget deliverables or share dividend. Many modern companies and governments (today countries have to be run as companies) run the risk of not only failing to invest overseas for enhanced security, but also in their own countries for the long term development of their own raw materials (people). A lack of government investment in social and educational development at home may save their budget on a year to year basis, but will lead to significant problems in the long term.

]]> By: Larry Miller http://www.lmmiller.com/blog/the-new-capitalism/2006/07/07/power-and-influence-2006/#comment-1146 Larry Miller Mon, 10 Jul 2006 15:40:14 +0000 http://www.lmmiller.com/blog/the-new-capitalism/2006/07/07/power-and-influence-2006/#comment-1146 Richard, I agree with you. See my previous, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, proposal for National Strategy. Imagine if the U.S. (or other countries) devoted significant attention to building social capital. We are so consumed by the material thing (whether consumable products, or airplanes and bombs) that we completely fail to see the source of real power...which is in social relationships, trust, dedication to a worthy purpose, etc. Richard, I agree with you. See my previous, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, proposal for National Strategy. Imagine if the U.S. (or other countries) devoted significant attention to building social capital. We are so consumed by the material thing (whether consumable products, or airplanes and bombs) that we completely fail to see the source of real power…which is in social relationships, trust, dedication to a worthy purpose, etc.

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