Episode 26 of Leading Matters Features Matt K. Lewis, the Author of Too Dumb To Fail: How the GOP Betrayed the Reagan Revolution to Win Elections.  Transcending politics the book offers a look at what happens when the past is forgotten and the future is mortgaged for the now.

Why wade into politics on Leading Matters? Because what Matt Lewis has written here is essentially a case study on failed leadership over big important ideas.   He uncovers the reality that the big ideas of conservatism are deeply rooted, have been debated not for decades but for millennia and are in jeopardy of being lost to a future that exchanges the complexed nuance of the important big idea for the pithy rallying sound byte that advances some immediate agenda.

Now read that sentence again, and apply it to how you are leading your company, team, or individual effort.  What invaluable essence of our product or service do we mortgage to meet the sales number for the year, quarter, or even month? 

No matter where your political leanings may be you will find the interview interesting, enlightening and inspiring.   

HIGHLIGHTS

The Declining Value of Classic Liberal Arts Education

Improving STEM (science – technology – engineering – math)  focused education is rightfully given much attention today as something that must gain more priority.  But shifting priorities at the expense of classic Liberal Arts education may be one factor that has lead to the degradation of the discourse over public policy debates. 

Why Ross Douthat Matters  More Than Rush Limbaugh

Ross Douthat is the conservative voice on the New York Times editorial page.  He covers the issues deliberately, and thoughtfully.  His voice matters more than those like Limbaugh who may be ‘preaching to the choir’.   The Douthats are the ones that make the difference.

Assimilating Immigrants

Political party immigrants that is.  Assimilation matters because if we don’t assimilate newcomers into the positive values of our core we risk losing the core to those same newcomers. 

The Media Has Responsibility

Cable news chases ratings, and ratings are not won not by deep thoughtful considerations over complicated issues.  Quite the contrary.  Ratings are won by sensationalizing the differences of perspective and opinion.  This ultimately does a disservice to those that are served by the media.

Why Everyone Should Care About Conservatism

Matt’s book isn’t a sales pitch to win converts.  It is written to reclaim the lost history of where the idea of conservatism came from.  It is a surprising look at what conservatism actually seeks to conserve, and it is a challenge for those of both political dispositions to pause for a moment to sincerely and thoughtfully think about what lay at the core of the very ideas that are held under the umbrella of conservatism.

Photo credit: Thomas Van Veen, Courtesy of Hachette Books