What Does it Take?

Rob Ford has returned to work after a stint of rehab. Along with a recent election in Ontario I have been thinking about the life of a politician. There are a lot of facets to political life. It is very public life but the hardest parts are behind the scenes.

A few days back I was also thinking about my brief foray into the world of car sales and everything I saw in that world.

I'm sure you are wondering what these two may have in common.

If I can't get there by acting with honesty and integrity, I don't want to end up there.

A lot of people get into politics with very good intentions but quickly realize that if you want to have the opportunity to do more than sit on a back bench, you need to make deals you don't want to make. The people who control this system have thrived in the very same system so there is almost no chance for change. Why would anyone change a system that has served them well?

I saw the same thing in car sales. It can be a downright slimy game and the people who are successful like it the way it is. It gives them the opportunity to make money at the expense of others.

So, if you have to be underhanded to get to the position, why would anyone expect it to change once you get to the position?

For me, the more I have acted with honesty and integrity, the more satisfying the results become. I have a greater feeling of accomplishment when it is done right. I feel better about myself and don't feel like I used a short cut. If you can only be successful by taking out the opposition at the knees instead of facing them head on, you are not cut out for what lies ahead. If you are up against me, bring your best because you will need it. If your best includes trying to take me out at the knees, go ahead. Many people have tried that over the years and they find out they are not very successful. Just because I make acting with honestly and integrity a priority, I'm not watching out for those who don't and I will diffuse it. That's the problem with acting in an underhanded manner, once the competition is on to your scheme, you are finished. You have nowhere to go and are obviously not in a position to do it right.

Everyone will live their life how they think it will make them successful. I'm try to do everything with integrity and it works out for me.