“Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny” (Charles Reade, 1814-84)

‘Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast’ is an aphorism often wrongly attributed to management guru Peter Drucker. It was more likely first coined by Apple founder Steve Jobs, or long-time General Electric CEO Jack Welch. Either way, ‘the vibe will always outweigh the best of plans,’ is a loose translation that’s very relevant in today’s political climate.

No matter how well intentioned, and well thought out, your plans and execution strategies are, the prevailing culture of the day will wipe them away if you don’t have a positive alternative vibe to offer.

Today’s predominant culture seems to be a shallow clickbait chasing, soulless media frenzy of commentary on the theatre of politics, as if that’s the actual substance of government.

In contrast, Paul Keating always used Policy as his starting point, from which he launched many winning public debates. Even “the recession we had to have” comment ended with him winning the 1993 Federal Election against all odds.

Over the past three years, Labor has worked hard at restoring the nation’s fortunes, but done nothing to improve the vibe. Their apparently now inbuilt reticence has too often left them like rabbits in the headlights of the clickbait........

© Pearls and Irritations