Winning Words 5/15/09
“To solve big problems, you have to be willing to do unpopular things.” (Lee Iacocca) This week I was talking with someone who had big problems on his desk, and his name wasn’t Obama. True leaders are more concerned with problem solving than they are with approval ratings. Based on what he did as head of Chrysler in the 1980’s, Iacocca’s words ring true. ;-) Jack

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: the right thing is definately not always the popular one. ask any teenager. FROM JACK: That's right. You were a teen-ager once.

FROM E.A. IN FLORIDA: This is one of the truest "winning words" that I have received. One should not worry about approval ratings when making decisions---especially one which adversely affects some but creates a better good for many more.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Many things are unpopular now-a-days, especially belief in God and belief in the Bible. We are finding our faith tested constantly. And, it looks like it will be tested more in the months ahead. We stay strong in what we have always believed, but it's most unpopular. God's words ring true!

FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: I don't know how you feel about the problems with the American automotive companies, but I feel that the Chrysler management has been more forthright then GM in how they handled the announcement of the downsizing of their franchised dealers. At least Chrysler made public their decision, GM hid behind their decision - leaders willing to do unpopular things, but not having the courage to make their decisions public. REPLY FROM JACK: Apples and oranges. Two different situations, with Chrysler
hooking up with an Italian company. I haven't walked in the shoes of either, but I do think that GM is doing the best that they can do. In either case, more people lose jobs. I blame the NY money manipulators.