Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

Just like the Nobel Peace Prize, the handing out of awards for people across the world has become has in most cases become a political event, and has diluted and undermined the prizes and their meaning. Think of the silly Al Gore being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and you see what I mean.

This year, in the case of Vladimir Putin, I really like the choice of Time, along with the balanced coverage of him by them. They don't make him a saint, but neither do they demonize him. What they do is present the man in his strengths and weaknesses, along with the context of where Russia has been in the last 10 - 15 years. He can't be separated from those years and what happened with Russia when it no longer commanded the Soviet Union.

I do agree with Putin's assessment of the importance of having a strong Russia being vital to the interests of the United States and the West. An unstable Russia would be a huge threat to not just the U.S., but to the world as well.

Putin has done a lot to restore Russia to health, although at the same time curtailing a number of freedoms we in the West take for granted. We have to understand the condition of Russia when Putin emerged, in order to see why he had to do some things. I'm not saying I agree with them or justify them, but I do understand why he has done it.

When Putin came to power in Russia, the corruption and lawlessness was so great, that nothing but a firm hand could be used to restore some safety to the country. The violence was extraordinary and corruption just as bad.

If nothing else, Putin has done that, but the rise in prices of oil and natural resources has had as much of hand in helping Putin rule, as Putin himself. The trick now will be to build an economy not subject to the prices of a few natural resources, which could be devastating if the prices fall, which is definitely a possibility over time.

I think Putin and Russia have some time, but they have to be diligent and create policies that allow a surge in entrepreneurial activity. Long term answers lie there. The country, even with its current, decent stability, could change quickly if this isn't accomplished.

Possibly the biggest thing Putin has done for Russia, has been to restore its pride as a nation. That may be the glue that continues to hold things together if things start to get rough for the people again. If nothing else, that will make him a key Russian leader as judged by their own history of rulers in the country.

Putin is definitely someone worth looking at, as far as leadership goes, especially in the area of taking over an organization when things are completely out of control, and also in times of great transition.

Some people that have known or studied Putin, say he's a man of the past and the present. That is in reference to helping Russia migrate from one stage of its life to another. He understands where they've come from, but at the same time knows where they need to go.

He also knows that he can't allow a vacuum to form in the country where anybody or any ideas could take root and destroy the fragile makeup of the country. It's one reason he and its leaders must facilitate free and predictable markets, in order that people aren't left out in the cold, with nothing to do but think up of plots and reactionary ideas.

Putin is definitely, like all others, a human being, including all the strengths and weaknesses accompanying that. Still, overall he has done a good job in extraordinary circumstances for his country, and by that for the world and the United States.

In spite of his shortcomings, I think at this time the world is safer and better having Putin running Russia, than not having him there. He's a good choice for Person of the Year by Time.