politics in the workplace…yes!

Before my time at TPN, I chose not to exercise my freedom of speech, in regard to politics, in the work place. As a youth my parents guided me toward some pretty strong political views – but also told me to never discuss politics or religion at work. [the same parents that told me to never give out my social security number – I still hate all banks for using my social security number as my account name – but we’ll save that nugget for a blog about the death of privacy…] With age, no surprise, I began to spend more and more time at work – getting pretty darn serious about my career. Lack of political conversation, focus and stimulation slowed my political interest. Political action never blossomed and eventually my attention died altogether. If I thought about politics at all – it was by identifying myself as a victim of the George’s (which of course was me being lazy, needing to have an opinion, no real time to form one except that I truly did loathe the Bush family).

Then I came to TPN. At TPN people really do exercise their freedom of speech (not to mention the freedom to not wear shoes). People here have healthy debates on issues, encourage each other to educate themselves and share information from all political sides [admittedly “encouragement” can be in the form of mudslinging - you just know you can’t win – so you hit the books in an effort to come back for round 2]. There is this fantastic, nonjudgmental freedom to choose, individually, whether you want to join the discussion or not. Is this not exactly what our founding fathers wanted? Of course, there is the occasional email asking people to shut their mouths stating that politics belong outside the office – but – ironically – that is part of the beauty – and diversity here.

In my first few weeks I kept waiting for the boss to put a stop to politically charged emails. Not only did that email never come, but a little over a year later, I received an invitation to celebrate, in a bi-partisan way, the Inauguration of our 44th President AT WORK! How cool is that?

So in the spirit of people able to honestly talk politics at work – I thought I’d link to the new white house website (featuring Obama’s speech – not to mention former Governor Gary Locke’s nomination – more WA pride). Tuesday’s address drew rave reviews – and polls including on CNN:

• Sixty-eight percent of speech-watchers questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey had a very positive reaction, with 24 percent indicating that they had a somewhat positive response and 8 percent indicating that they had a negative reaction.
• Eighty-five percent of those polled said the president’s speech made them more optimistic about the direction of the country over the next few years, with 11 percent indicating the speech made them more pessimistic.
• Eighty-two percent of speech-watchers said they support the economic plan Obama outlined in his prime time address, with 17 percent opposing the proposal.

Reviews were mixed, but mostly positive (with a good deal of Jindal-jerking): http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/jindal.reaction/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

“Barack Obama climbed Capitol Hill last night and staked his presidency on bringing the nation out of its economic crisis. Not since Franklin Roosevelt delivered his first fireside chat, eight days into his presidency, have Americans been more hungry — and more desperate — for economic leadership. And not since FDR has there been an economic agenda as bold or ambitious, or as likely to reshape American capitalism,” the Washington Post reports.

And from Conde Naste – some good some bad – http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/daily-brief/2009/02/25/the-obama-address-the-reviews-are-in

TPN’s open forum for politics permeates other areas of business too – “Question the Conventional” is painted on our lobby wall. As a business model this kind of innovative leadership and encouragement of individual thought builds a team that is as diverse as it is creative. The Presidential debates may be over (for now) but the cup overflow-ith with issues to take position on. Hmmm…how about the Viaduct? I say – let it go – and dig. I’ll stand by for your rebuttal.