Quien es Mas Macho?

Quick: What was the #1 album in the country 45 years ago this week? If you said anything but Cheap Thrills by San Francisco's own Big Brother & the Holding Company, with a certain Janis Joplin on lead vocals, you clearly aren't the music fan you proclaim to be. You also aren't much for huge clues either, but that's a topic for another day.

What, can't remember anything about 1966? Not to worry. If you did the '60s, so to speak, you won't be able to remember them.

Speaking of taking another little piece of my heart, let's ruminate -- with a strong leaning toward venting -- on a number of recent events. Warning for the weak-stomached among us: Politics, religion and sports are involved in this 4-part blog. Reader be forewarned. Reader definitely beware.

1. Quien es mas macho? While the country continues to suffer through the worst economic climate nearly anyone under the age of 65 can remember (for those of you who can remember what you had for breakfast yesterday), NOTHING is being done at the Federal level to deal with the continued high level of unemployment. Obama talks -- and is finally beginning to rant -- but to date has not produced a jobs program. In the meantime, the Republicans are fully intent on keeping millions unemployed with the sole purpose of adding one more African-American man to the unemployment rolls following the next election. Is this not beyond comprehension? Who are these people and how do they live with themselves? This blatant, self-serving neglect for the American people borders on the criminal. I hope you, too, are keeping a list of every elected official in Washington who refuses to act to get people back to work.

Meanwhile, the Republican presidential candidates are attempting to differentiate themselves. Their debate is not how to right the economy, deal with our three wars, or resolve any of the other myriad issues we face. No, their debate is twofold:

• Who is most conservative, and
• Who is most Christian.

Amazing.

In the midst of this, Herman Cain is sounding more and more like the pizza marketeer he is with his 9-9-9 plan. Michele Bachmann sees the devil in this ('Looks like 666 to me!'), while many think 999 is the price of a pizza. Whatever. Cain, like just about every Republican candidate, has clearly not mastered high school math because it's going to be a bitch to support three wars on a flat tax of 9%. Unless, of course, it's only war he'll pay for.

Stay tuned, as it's certain to get even more ludicrous. (Wait until the talk about Planned Parenthood reaches its crescendo. That will be fun, but in a bad way.)

2. Why No Other Apples? Thank you for your notes about Steve Jobs following last week's column. I agree, of course. A huge loss. Even so, many wonder why there aren't other companies like Apple. There is an abundance of talent, with many highly creative, motivated people eager to push the proverbial envelope. And there are many passionate about melding functionality and art, regardless of industry. So why aren't there more Apples?

There are two possibilities:

1. Few know how to create a workplace where the freedom to be creative can coexist with discipline and productivity.

2. Few want to create a work place where the freedom to be creative can coexist with discipline.

Sadly, our research indicates that both are true. Many executives operate within 'traditional parameters', precluding their ability to create a special environment, one in which creativity can flourish. Others all too often scoff at the idea that freedom of thought and action are conducive to a productive and highly profitable workplace. We vehemently disagree! In fact our data indicate that the opposite is true: Control and long-term profitability are inversely proportional. Said more plainly: Increase control and long-term profitability suffers. The evidence is indisputable.

Think about it another way: Why didn't Microsoft invent the iPhone? The reason: They couldn't. Not that their people aren't as smart and as creative as those at Apple. No, Microsoft's environment -- their culture -- wasn't capable of supporting breakthrough thinking. This isn't a slam on Microsoft; it's simply the state of affairs there and in the vast majority of companies worldwide.

Hey, you know of what I speak. You live it every day.

In the wake of Steve's death, much will be made of his approach to leadership. Don't wait for the books, several of which are in the offing. Call us now and we'll help you get ahead of the curve. Somebody has to lead; why not your organization?

3. Abandon Football, Cal. A plea to Sandy Barbour, Athletic Director at the University of California at Berkeley:

Dear Sandy:

As a passionate alumni of Berkeley (B.A. and Ph.D.) and ex-faculty member (Department of Psychology), I politely ask that you disband the football program. Immediately. It's simply wrong on so many levels and does not reflect Berkeley in any way.

But let me count the ways:

1. Cal has not won the Pac-8 or Pac-10 since 1959. There's something about not being able to finish ahead of 7 and then 9 teams over the course of 52 years that takes futility to a level only surpassed by the Chicago Cubs. Now in the newly-formed Pac-12 we have 11 other teams to outplay. Like that will ever happen.

2. The team's coach, Jeff Tedford, is the highest paid employee of the State of California. Title aside, Jeff is a glorified gym teacher. That he is paid more than any of Berkeley's Nobel laureates is unspeakable.

3. Speaking of the Nobel prize, one of our guys just brought in another for the school. Saul Perlmutter won one in Physics. Two other 2011 winners had direct ties to Berkeley. This is what we're good at and what we should be investing in.

4. Cal has become a whore to TV money. Case in point: Not one ticket to any 2011 home game had the game time printed on it. Why? Because you wait until the last minute to pick which network is going to broadcast the game. Sandy, Saturday afternoon is college football. Period, done. Anything else is an abuse of our (waning) relationship. And, please, no more national broadcasts. Far too many can see for themselves how miserable we are at football.

5. Cal football is not representative of the creativity, inventiveness and diversity of the Berkeley campus. The game played by Cal is indistinguishable from hundreds of other colleges. Why haven't you gotten any of the school's 22 Nobel laureates involved in helping make Cal football unique?

6. What is 'American Studies'? Apparently, it's the official major of the majority of Cal football players. While it might be rigorous (right), it screams of junior college. Worse, it strongly suggests that our players aren't the students that, say, Stanford players are. Yet another embarrassment.

7. White helmets, Sandy? What were you thinking?

In sum, it's time to call it quits. Take the money you'll save and invest it in any number of other programs in the department. The hundreds of students participating in the shadow of football will thank you. And know that many will cheer your courage when you announce that the 2011 season of Cal football will be its last. I, for one, will be happy to have my Thursday night, Saturday afternoon or Saturday evening open again.

Go Bears! Please.

Respectfully yours,

A Season Ticket Holder since 1981 (Just call me Dr. Fool or Stupidly Optimistic or both.)

4. One Last Question. If there was no death -- if we lived forever -- would there be religion? I think not. We'll discuss this and other curious topics next week.

Commit an act of random kindness. You and someone else will feel great you did.