While I have just finished reading a McKinsey article on the tendency of our brains to over indulge in optimism, it is refreshing to read a Financial Times front page headline from 26th June urging the US presidential hopefuls to stop the gloom:
P& chief urges US presidential candidates to end gloom rhetoric.
If I get the chance I would like to shake Mr AG Lafley, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Proctor and Gamble for being bold and telling the leaders in waiting that he was concerned by the "woe is me and ain't it awful" rhetoric they have adopted.
He went on to state that "In my business we don't need excessive negativism....You know we are in a business where phsycho9logy matters - even in the staples business - and in the economy psychology matters. It could go negative on the economy, that could be a problem..... We will talk ourselves into a worse recession"
Mr Lafley shows he is a realist in that he does have genuine concerns about the raising commodity costs, not just for energy, but for all commodities. So he has definitely not fallen foul to the hidden flaws of an over optimistic strategy that plagues so many businesses and financial institutions.
This is instead a refreshing and positive stand from a leader, whether you like him or not, who has stood up and said, look at us, let's stop feeling sorry for ourselves and make business, life, the world a better place.
Thank you Mr Lafley.
Friday, 27th June 2008
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