Compromise vs. Problem Solving/Brad Feld
Washington runs on a compromise mentality. You propose something and then begin negotiating from there. Innovative companies, where I spent almost all of my time, run on a problem solving mentality. You have a problem – you solve it.
I’ve been increasing frustrated with politics and public policy discussions that I’ve been part of. It’s because I’m in a problem solving mode. While some of the folks I’m interacting with are also in this mode (which causes me to stay engaged), many are in a compromise mode. They don’t care whether or not we actually solve the root cause problem – they just have an agenda that they want to get into the mix legislatively and are negotiating for it with the goal of reaching a compromise.
No wonder we can’t solve any real problems in the country.
That’s because engineers judge ideas based on their merit. Politicians judge ideas based on the party, industry, lobby, etc. from which they originate.
I also can’t help but wonder if this is related to the whole “participation award” culture. Engineers measure success by actually solving the problem; winning, in other words. Politicians measure success by compromising and being bi-partisan. In other words: “we didn’t solve the problem, but we played together nicely.”
Perhaps this can be a factor why compromise culture exists. I liked your thought.
http://durlov.blogspot.com/2012/02/responsibilities-risks-and-our.html