By Jeanine Hage 

On my way home from picking up my 11-year-old son from school, we fell into our usual after-school rhythm. As we navigated through the city, I asked him how his day went, and he filled me in with enthusiasm. There was something about making Miss Nicole laugh with a funny remark, and a proud recount of scoring two goals at recess. Then he went quiet for a moment, staring out the window.

And suddenly, he dropped a question that snapped me from the flow of traffic: “Mom, was Napoleon a good guy?”

Here’s the thing about kids—they have a way of distilling the most profound and complex issues into a single, innocent question. And as parents, we often find ourselves grasping for answers in real-time. But instead of diving into an impromptu history lecture, or checking to see where Lady Gaga stands on the subject, I saw an opportunity to explore something deeper: critical thinking.

For me, instilling critical thinking in my son is about more than just giving him facts; it’s teaching him how to approach questions, form opinions, and make sense of the world—especially in today’s climate, where the Shakespearean drama seems to be unfolding, all sparked, well, by the simple act of voting.

Life often offers unexpected parallels that help us make sense of complex issues—like those between the political and business worlds. Since I tend to find the business side a bit easier to decode than the political one, my mind went down this path.

The Center is your X

The companies that have thrived for decades are those that started with one idea and evolved into something entirely different. The world is filled with examples of this. Did you know that Lamborghini started as a tractor company?

To pivot with agility, you need to stay centered. In life, having strong beliefs is great, but stopping the process of questioning is less so. To remain agile, avoid extremes, and develop a critical, skeptical mindset.

And how do you stay centered? Check out the next point.

Hire Slow - Fire Fast

Just like we “hire slow and fire fast” in business, we should apply a similar principle to politics. When a political party or leader stops aligning with what you value or loses its way, don’t hang on too long out of habit. Where poor performers can drag a company down, a leader or party that’s lost its direction can drag a whole nation down. It's okay to “fire” them.

The Bottom Line is Never About the Person

In both business and politics, it’s easy to get fixated on a person—the founder of a company, a CEO, or a charismatic leader. But it’s never about the person. 

In politics, you’re not voting for a person; you’re voting for what they can deliver to the people—security, safety, economic well-being, dignity, and quality of life. If that leader or party changes direction or loses its way, don’t feel bound to follow. 

Loyalty shouldn’t mean sacrificing your values or settling for less than what you believe in. Politics, like life, requires adaptability and the courage to reassess where you stand. If what once aligned no longer feels right, it’s okay to pivot and choose a path that resonates with your principles.

The Team of Rivals

Finally, in business, even competitors sometimes come together for the greater good, if that serves their teams and customers. When we think critically, we can see beyond who is on “our side” or “the other side” and focus on achieving something greater. Whether it’s business or politics, the focus should be on the good of the company or the good of the people—not personal pride or rivalry.

One of the greatest lessons on this came from Abraham Lincoln, brilliantly illustrated in his biography, Team of Rivals. He brought his fiercest rivals into his administration, uniting them under a common purpose—and, in doing so, history was written.

When we finally pulled up to the house, my son was quiet for a moment, before asking “So…was Napoleon a good guy or not?” 

I smiled and replied, “Which one?”.

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Note: Read the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln—it’s a gold mine of leadership lessons!