Are business people good political leaders?

Observing business and political leadership in many facets such as health, economy, environment, human rights, and technology, I wonder if business leadership is different from political leadership. Sometimes business leaders venture into politics. Some examples of business people who became politicians come to mind. Silvio Berlusconi, an Italian media tycoon and politician served as Prime Minister of Italy. Donald John Trump, a real estate mogul and television personality, the 45th President of the United States of America. Both examples are considered successful and controversial depending on who you ask for an opinion. I suppose success or failure also depends on the context. That’s why even in business circles, some business executives become successful in one organization and disaster in another. Intriguing is the following comparison of politicians and leaders by Bishop Lalachan Abraham (www.speakingtree.in):

· Politicians focus on position and Leaders focus on character.

· Politicians lie on circumstances and Leaders tell the truth at all circumstances.

· Politicians focus on program and Leaders focus on principles.

· Politicians focus on promises and Leaders focus on values.

· Politicians focus on mission and Leaders focus on vision.

· Politicians focus on power and Leaders focus on empowering.

· Politicians focus on safeguarding their seat and Leaders focus on safeguarding the people.

· Politicians focus on next election and Leaders focus on next generation of successors.

· Politicians care about themselves and Leaders care about the people they serve.

· Politicians spend money on projects that help them and Leaders spend money on long-term projects for the public good.

· Politicians have difficulty cutting luxury from the budget and Leaders have no problem cutting luxury from the budget.

· Politicians build and hide in bureaucracy and Leaders fight bureaucracy.

· Politicians point fingers at others and Leaders will admit to mistakes.

· Politicians keep their objectives secret and Leaders establish long term objectives and communicate them to all.

The comparison should not be misconstrued to mean that politicians are not leaders. Politicians are leaders within their areas of interest. There are two main career paths followed by politicians in modern democracies. Career politicians who work in politics until retirement and “Political careerists” who gain a reputation for expertise in controlling certain bureaucracies, then leave politics for a well-paid career or business venture making use of their political contacts.