Street Jazz

Is it the money, as some whisper? Not so, cries the Fighting Mayor! It’s the love of the job! Plus, of course, I’m the only one who can actually do the job - really, honestly, folks.

Okay, sure. Whatever, Dan.

Is it within the realm of possibility that poor Dan is suffering from a political version of Founder’s Syndrome? Though it is usually used in conjunction with non-profit boards, it is also becoming common for the term to be used in political circles.

In a nutshell, Founder’s Syndrome - not an official psychiatric diagnosis - is when people become too involved with an organization or cause for just way too long. They lack the ability to hand the reins over to new blood.

They will often use a variation on the old, “Why switch riders in mid-stream?” argument. 

I’ve seen it before, both on boards on directors I have served on, and in local political figures. Dan Coody is a pretty classic example.  For more on Founder’s Syndrome:

http://www.ccfbest.org/management/survivingfounder.htm

Here is a quote from the website:

Wherever it occurs, Founder's Syndrome can be very destructive –– both for the organization and for the community it serves. It must be dealt with quickly and decisively . . .

The question at the heart of the "syndrome" is whether the "founder(s)" are more committed to what's best for the organization and its service to the community, or to doing "it" their way. Too often, ego gets in the way of making that judgment -- the classic example of the malady. That's why a well-structured board (with term limits) gets to decide if it's time for the founding CEO to be replaced, and why those term limits also solve the problem of board-member-founders.

******

Somebody has to be stopped

I was in the health food section of Harp’s yesterday, checking out cereal boxes, when I was brought up short by one selection in particular. A raisin-filled treat (I love cereals with raisins in ‘em!) when I checked out the ingredients.

Lentils.

Someone has put lentils in cereal. That’s just insane.

*****

Quote of the Day - Yes, I used it last week, but it’s too good not to use it again

"And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast . . . and if you cut them down . . . do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil the benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!" - Sir Thomas Moore - from "A Man for All Seasons." written by Robert Bolt

rsdrake@nwark.com