As we know with just days to go until the US public goes to the polls, Americas East Coast was rocked by Superstorm Sandy. While the devastation inflicted by the storm has been well documented the effect it has had on the election has been, and rightly so, a second thought. That said one effect it has had on the election is that it has thrown the role of leadership into the spotlight.
Credit where it is due, Mitt Romney’s CV reeks of leadership experience. A Harvard graduate who maintained his Boston links first with BCG and then founding Bain Capital, Romney has prospered and as a result according to a Boston Globe report is worth an estimated $190-$250 million. While this is an impressive achievement in its own right his achievements as CEO of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics just adds further to Romney’s ability.
Needless to say this has been seized upon by Republican strategist in the fight for Pennsylvania Avenue. With the economy being one of the most salient issues this time around for American voters Romney’s business background has been pushed to the forefront of GOP election strategies. That said, while it cannot be argued by even the most loyal Democrat that Romney has an abundance of proven leadership qualities in the business realm, I ask this: to what extend are they transferable to the role of president?
On the surface, and from the above account, it would seem that Romney has the perfect attributes for president. However break down the role of the president and we soon see how diverse the role is compared to that of a business.
On a general level business and politics are two disciplines very much based upon negotiation as one attempts to get the best deal for its interested parties. As Romney is a highly successful business man few would argue his ability to negotiate a deal. If we break down the negotiation making process down and we can see exactly how business and politics differ in this crucial area.
Traditionally business is done on a two way basis e.g. Company A negotiates a price with Company B, Company A supplies Company B with assembly parts etc etc. In politics at a presidential level, particularly with the growth of globalisation, deal making has to result in a general consensus among multiple parties/multilaterally. As a result Romney’s immense skills in business aren’t directly applicable to the role of the white house.
Romney’s reaction to certain topics, particularly those based on foreign policy, were prime examples that Romney thinks in the two way business sense that has stood him well throughout his career. The first example was his proposal to label China a ‘currency manipulator’ as soon as he takes office should he be elected the 45th US president. Setting aside the economic debate for a moment and focusing on Romney’s decision making, its plain to see Mitt as approached this as a simple two way decision through his trusted business lens (Using his role as US president (Point A) to brandish China a Currency manipulator and impose a tariff (Point B) and as a result the assumption that the US will benefit) Simply put this is a blatant example of his business leadership skills and how they are not applicable to politics. Romney, using his wealth of business leadership skills attained during a successful career, firstly sees the issue then sees the solution that best benefits his position and executes it. However in doing so he has shown a total disregard for, in this situation, the WTO, the reverberations such a move would cause to economies in Europe, Asia etc and as a result affects it may have on US exports etc in the long run.
If America is to rectify its economic situation globalisation dictates it must do so in a multilateral manor. The global financial crisis is the main road block to a US recovery. Today CNN reported that the European debt crisis is the biggest ‘drag’ on recovery attempts. Either way to rectify either Europe or the larger Global financial picture as a whole must do so in concert with many others.
All told, while Romney is a proven successful business man his skills in reaching such acclaim within the business world may not be what will heal America and further its economic progress.
No doubt many will disagree with me and I would love to hear constructive feedback weather for or against my piece below.
Twitter @benmcgilloway
Views From a Point 
I blogged on this today and came to the conclusion that Romney’s business life was an advantage. My thesis was that the President, like many politicians, has mostly had to succeed among the like-minded – in other words, win the trust of fellow Democrats. A businessman is used to having to lead and earn the trust of people who may have very different worldviews. I have some hope that Romney will be more of a consensus builder in Washington than we’ve seen over the last 12 years or so.