The Ultimate Blueprint for Success: Parenthood as the Key to Running a Thriving Business & Leading a Nation w/ Visionary Long-Term Decision-Making

Being a good parent requires us to make tough but right decisions for our children's long-term benefit. It requires us to put aside our short-term desires for their well-being and provide them with a foundation that will help them grow into responsible adults. The same principles apply to running a business or even governing a country. The focus should not be solely on the bottom line, profit, or return to shareholders, but on making decisions that will benefit the future.

love this video & poetic song by Stromae on easy to 'make a baby' but difficult to be a responsible father:

Unfortunately, many leaders and business owners today fall into the trap of making short-term decisions that benefit them in the present but have long-term consequences. A few examples of this type of decision-making include, some parental & real-life business/ government examples:

A.) Parents providing sugary treats or unhealthy ultra processed snacks to satisfy their children (or yield to social/ peer influence).

• President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to forgive construction violations without requiring buildings to meet code in Turkey in 2018 (short term populist love from voters), which meant shoddy buildings not fit for purpose compound with major shallow earthquake disasters in 2023 where death toll reached 35,000 now. This is however not new, as same amnesty (or neglect by default) already happened for decades in Italy also, but thankfully no such natural disaster happened there (yet) although already lost 11 lives so far! see gift link article on NYTimes:

B.) The whims of the most vociferous and privileged child (or man child in politics like Fartbarge) hold sway, even if it means driving the family into financial ruin by insisting on extravagant vacations that exceed their means.

The Brexit campaign's focus on short-term political gains through fear tactics, which resulted in the talent and company exits & worst economic outcomes in Britain, a shortage of staffs in nurses/doctors (which led to their working conditions and strikes) to service industries to seasonal migrants, and cost Britain £29Bn in investments.

a good summary video on Brexit below for those that are non UK based readers:

C.) Parents who exploit their own children, regardless of age, without ensuring their promising future or their potential positive impact on society, are despicable.

Detestable parenting practices like neglecting a child's basic needs, let alone their nutrition, are as reprehensible as corporate jargon that ignores positive cash flow and burdens holding companies or subsidiaries with insurmountable debt!

Bad guardians: And don't even get me started on heartless guardians who sell their own children or harvest their organs and limbs for profit, like a some bad private equity firm riddled acquired firms with needless debt! Or those who cowardly shirk their responsibilities, using dodgy legal maneuvers like the 'Texas two-step' (Talc J&J ruling) or dodging accountability like forever chemical whack a mole (yes you already have it in your body NOW!):

• The privatisation of infrastructure and public projects in western countries such as the UK, which has led to expensive and complicated rail travels good summary video below for non UK viewers:

• constant raw sewage being let into water streams, and creaking infrastructure that like Thames water that loses 635 million litres in leaks every day in 2022 (good BBC piece below) some even double down on possible negative effects on consumers if they were to fix the such problems.

You can thus imagine why some 'children' is demanding more care from the parents and asking to be taken care of again, namely demanding UK rails to be privatised, like the 'we own it' movement.

There is a precedent now in Italy for unilaterally privatising infrastructure projects (in this case motorways):

Italy's government has taken control of Autostrade, the company that managed the Morandi Bridge in Genoa which collapsed in 2018 and killed 43 people, by transferring its controlling shares from private hands back to the state. This was done as a punishment for the company's management of the bridge, as it was deemed responsible for its safety. The move is a political victory for the populist party, Five Star Movement, but has been criticized for undermining the rule of law and transparency. The deal was made with the intention of reducing the stake of the Benetton-controlled infrastructure group, Atlantia, which controls 88% of Autostrade. The government's decision to regain control of the highway management has raised concerns about their ability to effectively manage the aging infrastructure. (NYTimes gift link below for full story)

Politicians and business leaders lack the motivation to think and act for the long-term since they face no consequences for their actions, and there are too many corrupt individuals to name.

Skin in the game: New but really OLD Way of thinking:

To empower voters to think long-term and make informed decisions, it is crucial to educate them on the consequences of their choices. Some decisions, such as those related to infrastructure and public projects (or fate on whole country like Brexit), should not be put to a vote as they are much more complicated and nuanced for the general public to understand. Instead, leaders should take responsibility for making these decisions and be transparent about their reasoning and potential consequences.

The concept of "skin in the game" is crucial in parenting, as parents share the same genes and surname with their children. In many cultures, especially Asian and Chinese, the reputation of the family and ancestors is deeply linked to the actions of its members. This is why it is important for parents to instill values in their children and ensure they learn and behave in a manner that upholds the family name.

In the same vein, big-wigs in politics or even emperors have much to lose in terms of their family name and reputation if they make poor decisions. In ancient dynastic era of China, there was a special form of punishment known as "誅九族" for those who committed insurrection, which involved the extermination of nine familial generations. This served as a deterrent against fake news and despotic activities, some might argue that is a much more effective deterrent than present liberal democracies has to offer.

This concept of "skin in the game" applies not only in parenting but also in business and politics. Leaders who have a personal stake in their decisions are more likely to think long-term and make decisions that benefit society as a whole. By considering the future implications of their actions and having a vested interest in the outcome, leaders can ensure that their decisions are not based solely on short-term gains but are guided by a larger purpose. This, in turn, can help create a more stable and sustainable future for all.

What might you be able to do?

Be an awesome parent and at least be a responsible one (& have to make hard decisions & follow through)!

Motivate your kids (or Adult Childs) to expand their horizons safely, but don't coddle them. Create a supportive atmosphere, but also push them to face challenges. Be truthful with them and don't focus on meaningless participation awards. Instead, instill the value of grit in them and show up for them, at the very least! Let's go!

In terms of businesses:

To inspire others to think and act in a similar manner, here are a few concrete actions that individuals, business owners, and leaders can take:

• Educate yourself and others about the long-term consequences of short-term decisions. Share information and resources that help people understand the importance of thinking long-term.
• Invest in the future. Make necessary investments now to ensure the survival and success of your business or country in the next 5 to 10years at least. This includes investing in infrastructure, education, and other areas that will benefit future generations.
• Lead by example. As a leader or business owner, show others how thinking long-term can benefit everyone in the long run. Share your success stories and encourage others to adopt similar practices.
• Encourage transparency. Leaders should be transparent about their decision-making process (within reasons) and the potential consequences of their actions. This will help build trust and ensure that voters and customers have a clear understanding of what is happening.

In conclusion, being a good parent and leader requires a long-term perspective (5-10yrs minimum) and the courage to make difficult but right decisions. By prioritizing the well-being of future generations and making investments in their future, we can create a better world for all.

So you are ready to fix the world?

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