Politics: Is Business Experience Helpful in a Candidate for President?

Some make the case that business experience may not be all that helpful in running for political office and serving once elected. Indeed, the worlds are somewhat different. The goals and methods of a profit-making business differ from the government sector.

The importance of business experience in electoral politics was somewhat put to the test when two former CEO's Fiorina (HP) and Whitman (EBay) ran for Senate and Governor recently and lost. Some felt that their business experience didn't translate into electability. Of course, California is more left leaning than most states so those two GOP candidates were paddling against the tide. Thus, it is hard to say how they would have faired electorally in a more purple state as opposed to the deep blue of California.

In national politics, Perot ran as a can-do businessman in 1992 but was disadvantaged by two major factors: it was a third-party run and his personal style was at times off-putting.

This takes us to 2012 with Mitt Romney who has had a successful career in business and cites his understanding of how they work and experiences in turning around struggling companies as credentials for being President.

Indeed, not all the skill sets of a business executive translate into the game of politics. I suspect if Steve Jobs or Bill Gates had gotten into politics they would have had a hard time given their impatient and exacting visions of how they ran their businesses. But is that more an issue of personality than raw skills, knowledge and abilities?

On the plus side of business experience would be the analytical/troubleshooting skills and the ability to hire good staff. These two skills would be very helpful in governance and Romney has those.

Also, another plus for Romney is that he has had three significant non-business experiences.

Rescuing and running the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics combined business, governmental and non-profit aspects of organizational leadership.

Serving as governor of Massachusetts.

Many years of leadership in the Mormon church which has no "professional" clergy and relies exclusively on lay volunteers. As someone who could be lumped into the "evangelical" Christian camp, I have my theological disagreements with the Mormon church. However, I can respect the fact that he served essentially as a bishop and pastor to his church community and by all accounts was compassionate in that service.

If Mr. Romney had only business experience on in his life story, his candidacy would be less compelling. Indeed, he has led a rich and varied life and I think would be an able President.