People Hate America? The Title

¶ … People Hate America?

The title of the book, Why Do People Hate America? (by Merryl Wyn Davies and Ziauddin Sardar) may be a bit misleading. While the authors certainly do cover issues and images relating to the reasons the U.S. has fallen out of favor in many foreign countries - including many American citizens as well - and is indeed hated by millions of people, the book is also about leadership. it's about how not to lead, and on the other hand, how to be a believable, respected and humble leader. it's also about the fact that Americans need to fully restore the democracy that has been tainted by corporate interests that are creeping into the executive and legislative branches through lobbying, manipulation and political appointments - and doing that will require a kind of leadership that today is in short supply.

The book offers a "how to" narrative in many respects; it may turn some people off because of its frequent Biblical references, but Biblical or not, the authors' use of analogies and metaphors tied to Biblical personalities has strength. For example, "Adversity Creates Purpose" (p. 41) discusses overcoming obstacles, which all leaders must learn to do. During the time the Roman Empire had crucified Jesus Christ "...as a traitor and revolutionary" there were many citizens just drifting morally, becoming corrupted and worshipping idols. This made it rough on Christ's prophets and disciples as they went about their jobs teaching and preaching about the importance of integrity and honesty. But the authors quote the disciple Paul as saying times may be tough, and though "No discipline seems pleasant at the time," later on "...[discipline] produces a harvest of righteousness and peace" for those who accepted the restraint.

With that purposeful example in mind, on page 42 the authors fast-forward to contemporary times and the difficulties faced by Gordon Bethune when he took over Continental Airlines. The Continental Airlines on-time performance was "among the worst in the industry," the authors point out. But Bethune instituted some "purpose" by offering every employee a $65 bonus for each month that on-time performance saw improvement. Now sixty-five dollars isn't really very much money, but that little gesture became "...a symbol of purpose" (p. 42).

This book is rich with meaningful business parallels that link to the authors' belief in the Bible. On page 36 the section "Purpose: Galvanizing Force, Competitive Advantage" offers the story of King David, who - against many odds - succeeded by rallying 400 "ordinary men" around him as believers and followers. On page 37, readers are introduced to a "modern-day David" by the name of Jack Stack, who took over Springfield Remanufacturing, where workers were "demoralized and purposeless." Stack opened up the book that contained all the "rigid" job descriptions and figuratively tore out the pages - allowing his workers, who knew best how to kickstart the previously sluggish production - and a unified workforce got the 800 tractors done in the required 20 days.

One after another, corporate leaders are brought to the attention of readers when show forthright examples of courage, humility and innovative vitality. On page 81 Robert Townsend is featured; he took over the CEO position with Avis in the 1970s and "turned the corporate world on its head" by getting rid of "executive dining rooms, parking spaces, and other emblems of corporate royalty" the authors explain. Prior to their narrative on Townsend, King Solomon is described as a powerful man with grace and humility in his heart. God is said to have appeared to King Solomon in a dream, and asked him what he (Solomon) wanted to be given.

Now Solomon could well have asked for some glittering gifts and for more power. But he didn't; he asked for "wisdom," the authors explain. "I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. So give your servant a discerning heart...for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" Solomon is reported to have said. Impressed by Solomon's humility, God gave Solomon "...everything else he might have wished for" like honor, wealth, a long life, and yes, the "wise and discerning heart he has asked for."

Back to Townsend, who was also praised for willingly, openly admitting the mistakes he had made. "Admit your mistakes openly, maybe even joyfully," Townsend wrote in the book Up the Organization; he went on to admit that "...my mistakes were discussed openly and most of them corrected with a little help from my friends" (p. 81).

Still another CEO of a corporation, J. Kermit Campbell, who headed the furniture company Herman Miller, is pointed out as a good example of someone who listens well. Indeed Campbell had "exceptional listening skills," the authors assert on page 102. What he did was show his employees that he really cared and was willing to come down from his corporate offices. He met with "every single" employee and listened to their thoughts and concerns.

Prior to the narrative on Campbell, the authors explain that the Bible "...is full of leaders who failed to listen." Those included Lot's wife who did not pay attention to Lot's warning "not to look back at the burning cities of Sodom and Gomorrah." Those readers familiar with the Bible already knew that due to his failure to heed the advice of her husband, Lot's wife was transformed into a pillar of salt. And the Bible is also full of leaders who did indeed listen, including Noah, who listened to God and built his ark to the exact specifications that God had given to him.