Think about it.
After The Great Depression, followed by World War II, Americans wanted a calm prosperity. They bought into Eisenhower values. Watching on black-and-white television the predictable routine of life on the farm with Jeff (later Timmy) and Lassie was the idea of a good time.
In the 21st century the chronology is somewhat reversed. There was the trauma of 9/11, followed by The Great Recession. With the economic recovery getting traction, those who are making it want to, well, lean into the calm and predictability.
A growing number have even been giving up the pretense of loving new, disruptive, and game-changing. It's becoming okay not to "keep up" with every permutation and combination in tech.
Given this ethos, leaders have to tame their inner Bipolar. That creature lives off the drama of highs and lows. Believe me, few perceive that theatre as entertaining. The best way to describe what leader communications should be is: Centered.
Had Steve Jobs lived he likely would have had to move more to the center with his presentations. The marketplace would have grown weary of the artificial drama. We are comfortable with Tim Cook. Maybe that is why GOP campaign strategists see a possible winner in Mitt Romney. In this new era he could be the leader for calmer times.
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