There’s alot of commentators advising on how NZ should survive and even prosper during the current financial turmoil. Mark Weldon is quoted as advocating “we need a new mind-set of aggressively competing”. I think he’s wrong. For three reasons:
- A mind-set of aggressively competing has partly contributed to the mess we’re in. Banks were so focused on competing that they have created the largest economic down-turn since the Great Depression.
- Changing the mind set of an individual is hard enough, let alone a whole country. Even if it was a good idea, it would be practically impossible.
- And it’s not a good idea. Much of the NZ psyche or mindset is important to keep. I’m talking about our friendliness, warmth, creativity, freshness, tolerance, and egality.
I’ve just returned from overseas and my experience is that people love Kiwi’s. Let’s not lose that. We just need to be bolder and less self-deprecating. To value ourselves and what we have to offer to the world.
A few small changes that could have a big impact. (and I’m taking my own advice – watch this space!)
