ThinkNick

There’s been a lot of talk in the UK about the Republican choice for Vice President in this year’s US elections (see here for one of the more interesting commentaries, especially about Ms Palin’s media training). Whilst there has been much debate about the maverick McCain (and ‘maverick’ is one of those words that’s supposed to be neutral but is almost always taken to be a negative), there’s one thing I’ve not seen mentioned.

McCain appears to have made a choice based on limited information, instinct, and the need to move things forward. And guess what, for much of the time in office, a leader operates in a complex and changing environment, with incomplete information. Instinct, experience, luck, call it what you will, but they cannot just sit there waiting for perfect data in a perfect world.

Mr McCain, I admire you for taking a lead, and a risk. I think that shows you qualify for the big job.

Heard a heartening story today about (real) estate agents. Not the usual joke about them all losing their jobs, ha ha. This time about how one firm has handled the uncomfortable reality of a downturn.

A friend of ours has worked for an agency for four years, and has been made redundant in the latest response to the changes in the UK housing market. She was unhappy, and requested a meeting with the Managing Director.

Not only did the MD meet her, he showed her financial reports and statistics – in confidence – to explain the background for the decisions; then he showed her the numbers and selection criteria used for those who would lose their job. Last, he gave her a personal reference, and his cell/mobile phone number.

Good to hear that somebody is doing the right thing in a difficult situation. Hats off to the man.