David H. Deans

Paul, you said "All too often, however, these policies are motivated out of fear, resulting in protectionist measures. And, all too often, they are designed for the realities of the past (where the puck has been) as opposed to the future (where the puck is going to be)."

Clearly, the recent examples of local governments across the globe attempting to handicap Airbnb and/or Uber is indicative of this phenomena. The Sharing Economy is already a significant component of the Global Networked Economy -- a border-less landscape where the best ideas can achieve amazing results.

What's odd, from my perspective, is that many nations already have laws that are designed to curtail the "restraint of trade" practices of legacy incumbent businesses who attempt to create barriers to free market competition.

My point: I think it's understood that innovation is the key to winning. However, perhaps what is less known is that Freedom to Act (without interference) is a key component of the creative process. Legacy business models that support government franchise fees, license fees, or other forms of taxation burdens can inhibit the exploration of new commercial concepts that become a catalyst for economic development. The U.S. Federal government apparently understood this fact, when numerous attempts to tax the Internet were either totally blocked or deferred.

Margaret, you said, regarding the notion of a 'corporate culture nirvana' -- My initial response was "no."

Perhaps there's a valid reason to distrust that any company can really offer a culture where *everyone* is passionate and engaged. That nirvana is wishful thinking, not reality.

The truth is that while the most progressive CEOs know many people within their midst are high performance practitioners (open to new ideas and willing to debate and collaborate), there are numerous others that are resistant to change but choose to hide their true feelings.

You know the type. They're often the passive-aggressive middle-managers in large organizations that like to present a 'cooperative' facade that is -- in daily practice -- inconsistent with their actions. They say that they're open to suggestions, but when they're exposed to anything that would require them to move beyond their comfort zone, they ignore it -- by refusing to respond, engage and evolve.

My point: you can't change human nature. The fearful can try to mask their personality, but they often can't rise above their dysfunction (because they harbor deep-rooted insecurities). Actions will always speak louder than words. It is what it is -- there's the official culture (the Open folklore) and then there's the real environment that includes all types of people. Ultimately, life imitates all humanity.