Learning the wrong lessons

One of my favorite speakers on leadership made a statement with which I am afraid I have to disagree. He stated in the context of problem-solving finite and infinite thinking that businesses could learn from the government, the concept of infinite or long-term thinking. The problem is this, on a local, state, and federal level, the government creates bureaucracies that have the power to create rules with a hammer to take your freedom to force compliance with their infinite thinking. A long time ago, government figured out anyone that did not go along with their way of thinking was a nail that needed to be hammered. As a result, most pieces of legislation have a compliance section that includes various methods of swinging the hammer ranging from fines to imprisonment for not complying with government regulation.

The lesson being learned from governments by corporate America is compliance with penalties is a long-term strategy. I propose it is a short term strategy for corporations.