2004 and onwards - To Whom It May Concern

Now, being a grandfather to four grandchildren and three times father, I have an “elderly” mans wish to help them to a good start in our chaotic and beautiful world. Looking at my seven principles of leadership, the word culture is vital and important to understand. Especially since I think we are going towards a war between cultures and not between nation-states. Sorry to say, but mankind has always been fighting eachother and my experiences confirm that this is part of our natural instinct.

With a sound culture, we can control this energy and use it in a positive way. When not, we will see a war against all and a society where “barons” (in business or in politics) lead, that we cannot distinguish from simple criminals. This will weaken our European (and American) legacy of freedom of speech and religion, tolerance towards those less fortunate and the right to decide over ones own life and responsibility and pride of ones actions. These foundations of liberty have made it possible for us to have the wealth we have today. To feed not only ourselves, but also our neighbours. To give our daughters the same right to education as our boys and play a major role to create wealth to all of us.

This is culture with values, which we must understand in order to respect them and to improve them. My message would be that we all have unique and bright brains, much brighter than we have ever understood, or used. Be proud of this gift, but use it first of all to get your own values and then integrate these into our common ones. It is time consuming, but when you are there, you will never regret your chosen, sometimes difficult road to your unique part of history!