The Genius of America Is That We’re All Geniuses!
The other day, I was speaking to an immigrant from Russia about the differences between the U.S. and that former archrival.
She mentioned that in most of Russia there is a can’t-do feeling, a sense of futility, of impossibility, even after the fall of communism, and its replacement with more of a free market system.
The reasons for such a malaise are many, she says, but I believe there is a fundamental difference among our peoples.
In America, generally speaking, we think we can do anythingthat we are the only things holding us back. We have a genius, for believing in ourselves, and in the power of the individual.
In Russia, there’s always a sense that larger, often hidden forces are preventing people from doing, from growing and achieving. They just can’t seem to escape from the yoke of feeling dominated.
In other lands, an idea is always too early.
In America, it’s never too late.
In other lands, you need consensus before moving forward.
In America, according to Stonewall Jackson, one courageous person “makes a majority.”
In other lands, you may never get a chance; your ship may never sail.
In America, we’re the land of second chances, and that’s why so many grateful people, such as my friend, set sail for our shores.
All of us in America think we’re geniusesthat’s our collective genius. And judging from our accomplishments over the centuries, this may be an understatement!
Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.
