Many people think a good business leader will also be a good government leader. This seems logical because both jobs involve money and big decisions. But running a business and running a country are very different.
Businesses focus on making money. They sell products or services to earn a profit. Governments do not exist to make money. Their job is to provide services like schools, roads, and healthcare, even if those services don’t bring in profit.
Business leaders make quick decisions without much approval. Government leaders must work with lawmakers and judges, which takes time. Disagreements can slow things down, but that’s part of democracy.
A business serves customers and investors. A government serves everyone, including people who disagree with its leaders. It must create fair laws, protect rights, and solve big problems like crime and pollution.
Success looks different in business and government. A business succeeds by making money. A government succeeds by improving people’s lives, which is harder to measure.
Some business leaders try to “run the government like a business,” but that doesn’t work. A country isn’t a company. A business can cut costs by firing workers, but a government can’t just stop helping the poor or close schools to save money.
Business skills can be useful in politics, but they’re not enough. A leader must understand that government is more complex than making deals or cutting costs. They must listen, compromise, and put people first.
Good business skills don’t always mean good leadership in government. Voters should look beyond business experience and choose leaders who know how to serve an entire country.
