by Traverse Legal, reviewed by Enrico Schaefer - January 20, 2009 - Alternative Billing, The Billable Hour
I remember one point during the campaign when John McCain repeatedly stated that America needed action not talk. His overall point was that action was more powerful than ideas. That made me think.
Most of the time, an idea rendered to idle chatter is without substantial import. But John McCain got it wrong. An idea rendered to a movement is far more powerful than a single man’s actions. When and idea is adopted as the norm, armies of followers take the lead.
Let’s face it. Change has never been something to aspire to. Our entire society is set up around tradition and the infrastructure of power is biased towards the status quo. People with wealth and power achieved status and power in the system that exists at any particular moment. Typically, they have no reason to want to change the system. They want things to remain the same. The average person finds comfort in routine. Most people are change adverse. Religion is the life raft we often cling to during the periods of life when change creates turmoil. Lawyers don’t like hourly billing in general, but the incentive to change is minimal. The hourly billing system is easy and predictable. Why take the risk of change? Doctors hate insurance companies. Yet, they are afraid of change to the health care system because of the uncertainty that will no doubt come.
I have to wonder whether or not Obama has it in him to create a culture of change. Will society embrace innovation, new ideas, and focus on the rewards which change can bring, rather than to risk of the unknown outcome.
Politics aside, I have to say that the stars do appear to be lining up. The economic crisis pushing people towards uncertainty, it is easier to take that risk of change since change may bring something better than exists today. With Obama pushing a message for Americans to take this country in a new direction, the idea of doing things differently may become more palatable on all levels.
As a founding partner of Traverse Legal, PLC, he has more than thirty years of experience as an attorney for both established companies and emerging start-ups. His extensive experience includes navigating technology law matters and complex litigation throughout the United States.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Enrico Schaefer, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing Business, IP, and Technology Law litigation attorney.
