Life Coaching tips for PM Howard
The Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, has had a great deal of media exposure of
late. He seems, all in all, to be having a good war thus far at least. His
performance could be enhanced if he were to consider some of the life
coaching pointers offered below:

1. DO. Work on your timing. Try to avoid making your major pronouncements
about the Iraq crisis automatically follow those of the White House. It
gives the distinct impression that you are waiting to be told what to think.

2. DON'T. Look like a kid getting a prize on High School speech night when
you are in the presence of an SAS (Senior American Statesperson). It is
unbecoming behaviour for the leader of an independent nation on display
before the eyes of the world. Similarly, you should moderate your dominating
body language and transparently false bonhomie with lesser mortals - leaders
of Asian, African and Pacific states. Colonial gestures seem to be on the
rise again but be aware of this discrepancy in your behaviour. In these days
of flux one never knows who our next overlord will be.

3. DON'T. Trust Texans. They tend to think with their testicles and appear
to be challenged by the neocortex. Remember what happened the last time we
joined the posse for a spot of rootin', tootin'& shootin' with a Texan
President?

4. DO. Please do something about the pout.

5. DO. Consider the feelings of your successor. You have promised to stay in
office to see your people through the Iraq crisis. Commendable. Middle East
adventures, however, have a tendency to be prolonged. Remember the Israeli
intervention in the Lebanon? It was supposed to last a year but dragged on
for 22. Such news may unduly depress your successor. A well timed exit
enhances a political career more than an embarrassing kicking and screaming
while clutching the door frame adieu. Although it appears to run counter to
your character, try to go gracefully.

6. DON'T. Sulk, pout and remind the 2% of your country's population who
marched against a war that hasn't yet started that they can have their say
at the next Federal election. They may take you seriously.

7. DON'T. Try to look so energised and happy at the prospect of helping to
king hit a basically defenceless nation. So much media exposure as a world
leader does tend to cause a rush of blood to the head. This type of
enthusiasm, however, may cause people to wonder whether, deep down, you
really are a rather nasty piece of work.

Colin
Enoggera Life Coaching
9 March 2003