Prosperity Requires Collaboration

What would you say to President Obama as he prepares his State of the Nation speech for January 24th? I imagined what I'd like to contribute...

Dear President Obama,

Our communities are more connected than ever. According to the New York Times, Facebook members have a 4.74 degree of separation. The "Three Degrees of Influence Rule" (research published in the book, "Connections") shows that you have influence over your friends' friends' friends. No joke. If your business is doing well, there's a higher likelihood that businesses on the outer ring (three degrees away from you) are doing well too. And so are their families, neighbors, and communities.

We pull each other up - or down.

As a United States resident, you currently contribute roughly one-third of everything you earn in your partnership with the United States governement for the privilege of living here and enjoying our freedoms. Our freedoms are maintaining through the collaboration of those who like here. We need to come together around three things:

1. Expectations. Whatever we expect to have happen, generally does. People have lost faith in Washington. We don't expect progress any more. We don't expect EXCELLENCE because we no longer think it's an option. Excellence is not an option, it's a NECESSITY and something we all need to live up to.

2. Engagement. No man, woman or business can afford to wait and see what happens - to let someone in Washington figure out what's best for our country without the context of your perspective. We have a call to arms right now in this country to get involved. We must share out needs, our priorities, our ideas, and our participation to make a difference. Only by being a part of the conversation can you ensure that your voice is heard. Participation isnt just a right. Particpation is manditory for success.

3. Emotions. Human beings continually explore, discover, innovate, and refine in attempt to improve the status quo. Change is often uncomfortable and unavoidable - and it is always necessary for our survival. We are masters of change and we recognize that emotions run high during times of extreme change. We need to accept the emotional struggles that are very real and very painful and then through them. Consider "The 10/80/10 Rule" mentioned in the book, "The Surviror's Club,":

        In any crisis, roughly 10% of epople are leaders: they have a vision, create a plan and take action. Leaders    continually look for others leaders in order to discover the latest strategies, best practices, tools and resources.

        Approximatly 80% of people are followers: they are looking for leaders to follow. (That means that 90% of people with a smililar problem are looking to you for answers! This is an unaprecedented opportunity for leadership!)

       The remaining 10% of people are so overwhelmed and so caught up in their emotions that they are in a state of pure panic. They will not survive because thy literally cannot see the help that is available to them.

        We are very fortunate that the United States is a nation of leaders. In low moments, remind yourself that you are not alone. The help is at hand. That we care about each other. That every person in our country is just 4.74 degrees away. When any one person experiences progress, it pulls the rest of us a little highter too.

Currently, roughly one-third of what you earn is given to the government through Federal taxes and sales taxes (assuming 28% FEderal; 7.5%sales tax). That means that you are in partnership with Washington and you should expect a lot for your money, engage in the discussion and vote, and acknowledge and celebrate the wins of engagement. The more people participate and promote whateer they believe in, the better off we are because it encourages education and dialogue around complex issues that require collaboration.

Standing up, sharing your voice, contributing your ideas, and making an effort to serve always makes a difference and inspires others to do the same.

While I don't always agree with your approach, I deeply appriciate your efforts to lead our country. It's not an easy job.

Thank you.

- Elaine Starling, President, Starling Media Services