"Last month, they wanted me to increase revenue, which I did. This month, after I've already achieved the stretched goal on revenue, I thought they would be satisfied. I was wrong. They asked me to maintain the high growth and also lower the operating cost. Don't you think it's some kind of a paradox?" "I can't answer on behalf of your company," I reply. "But let me share with you some comments from Jack Welch in his book, Winning. "In the leadership section, Jack introduces eight rules under the topic 'What Leaders Do'. He gives a premise before talking about those rules." It grabs Suvit's attention immediately since he often quotes Jack Welch's wisdom. This is what Jack Welch writes: "Before we look at each rule, a word on paradoxes. Leadership is loaded with them. The granddaddy of them all is short-long term paradox, as in the question I often get: 'How can I manage quarterly results and still do what's right for my business five years out?' My answer is, 'Welcome to the job!' "Look, anyone can manage for the short term _ just keep squeezing the lemon. And anyone can manage for the long term _ just keep dreaming. You are made a leader because someone believed you could squeeze and dream at the same time. They saw in you a person with enough insight, experience, and rigour to balance the conflicting demands of short- and long-term results. Performing balancing acts every day is leadership." Suvit nods and says: "It's true. What else does he say?" "Jack gives some examples of paradoxes among his leadership rules. But what I think is the crucial part is this: "'Of course, life would be easier if leadership was just a list of simple rules, but paradoxes are inherent to the trade. That's part of the fun of leading, though _ each day is a challenge. It's a brand-new chance to do better at a job that, when all is said and done, you can never be perfect at. You can only give it everything you've got. Here's how ...' "Then, he goes into the details of each rule." | 
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