Just Do It – is a great slogan.
In life and business, every time I fail, the cause always links to action:
- action never taken
- action taken too late
Too much talk (or I call it strategy) and no action (taking too long to decide).
I am such a huge proponent of execution, getting things done, show real results and accomplishments, rather than fancy and at times never ending strategy talks. I learned and keep learning from my failures. I believe action, execution and results is an ongoing process. One can have skills and tools, but not all answers and immediate results at all times.
While I do believe in execution and real results, I also know that achievements are not always tangible, that ability to bring people together and to influence is hardly an empty talk but even a more so profound achievement. Dale Carnegie valued this ability more than any other skill, saying that he could teach any man any trade, but he cannot teach someone to lead and influence people.
President Obama received a Nobel award today, which created a lot of controversy. Talks about whether or not he deserves it; whether or not, Barak Obama has results and achievements to show.
When Obama won elections, there was a mention that momentum was built and the world was changed, and even if Obama does not do anything for the entire period of his presidency, he has already done much…
Let me say that I am proud of president Obama nominated as a Nobel prize winner.

Once again media is highly irrational.
Why Obama?
Quite simply, if we ask who brought about most change and influence this year?
What did Obama achieve?
Obama leads the world and our country in a consistent, uncompromising way.
Obama’s speech, the acceptance of a Nobel prize was ideal – it is an affirmation of US leadership, and inspirations it created throughout all nations.
Bringing about any change in the world and people lives is always hard no matter how you go about it, at whatever scale. People seem to diminish ability to influence, to motivate others to initiate change and improvement in themselves and their communities. How is that less important than hands on work in the field?
It is easier to look in the past to assess, that is why so many leaders are recognized looking back, by the next generation. It is hard to see and assess while in the midst of things and this is what might be happening now.
Obama’s points of view are unambiguous, clearly stated. Will he solve all of humanity problems in his presidency term or lifetime? When we look in history, Dalai Lama has been fighting for Tibet independence all his life and Tibet is still under China… Martin Luther King fought for equality mid last century, we only see some of the progress now, it is not entirely solved… Chaplin was brought back to America from exile only when future generation recognized his contribution and ability to influence through art.
What is an achievement and will we always see the results we expect right away?
People always want to see things change for the better faster than is possible. We want wars and conflicts that lasted decades to be solved overnight. Wanting to see results immidiately is human nature, changing is not human nature, it takes a long time and is resisted. Change is a process of overcoming, realizing, evolving and understanding. We are not going to have fast results.
Obama stands strong. His courage to step up and remind the world of our priorities and his ability to influence is what is rewarded today via Nobel prize.
Obama calls every one of us to be a better one. Abraham Lincoln said “Whatever you are, be a good one”.
Is this reward premature? May be if we can give him a reward now, he will get things done faster?
McCain certainly believes it is an advance for the future work, implying that Obama is now obligated to deliver. Obama is on his mission, and will be whether rewarded or not.
Is the resume always a decisive factor? Does a person with a thick resume is always the one who influences most?
We know that biggest leaders are the ones who are passionate and dedicated to their missions. Brin did not have a thick resume when change internet to no return by building Google.
Is a Nobel committee a bunch of people notorious for misjudgment? Hardly.
Noble prize committee sent the world a message today and the world got this message. Ability to influence is a result and is what is awarded.
I only wish the humans are more rational and visionary…
Congratulations America on a Noble prize!