Health Care Reform–Obama’s Hail Mary

Where has President Obama been on pushing for a robust Health Care Reform (HCR)? The wait and see what the Congress produces approach is now in the 11th hour and President Obama needs a “hail mary pass” to produce a bill that will pass. We now have “pro-life” and “anti-immigration” blue dog dems fighting amongst themselves.  This “laissez-faire” approach to leadership has left a void filled by “status quo” dems to “do nothing Republicans”. Let’s review view this failed strategy that now threatens Obama’s presidency. We stand on the brink of having a Bill Clinton or a true reformer like FDR. As a progressive, independent I would prefer FDR’s style or LBJ’s to this let’s see what happens hands off approach by Obama’s team. Where is the passion and committment displayed and talked about during the campaign?

Health Care Reform “People before Profits”–President Obama’s Time is NOW!

” It is to late in the day for the House of Reps to buckle-in on the Public Option or the Senate to kick the can down the road for the States to decide on Health Care Reform.  The “Blue Dog” Democrats and the party of “NO” Republicans are winning by stalling and not caring. I don’t understand their lack of moral conscientious. How can you not care about 144 people/day dying or 44,000/year dying who don’t have health care insurance. Watering down the Public Option is putting the Health Care Reform at risk because if it doesn’t work the President will be scapegoat as the one who failed. These devious plans to defeat Health Care Reform need to be challenged by the Obama team. The Obama team seem to want any bill so they can say they did something. What do I want to see? 

Yes, We Can Leadership on Health Care Reform–Where are the “Profiles in Courage”? Where is the Public Rage?

Baucus Plan is not a “profile in courage” but in cowardiness–This so call reform bill being debate and marked-up by the Finance Committee is a waste of time and a joke. This bill is a give away to the Insurance and Big Pharma and a tax on the middle income. What has Baucus been doing all these months? Most of us would have been fired if we were showing such incompetence in our jobs. It appears that he has been negotiating with himself.

Assertive Leadership–Message to President Obama on Health Care Reform

“All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights.” Constitution of Massachusetts, 1778.

The question for all of us is whether Health Care is a right guaranteed by being a citizen of the United States or a privilege bestowed on the fortune few?

Obama’s Leadership Test– Health Care Reform or Only One Term

” It is to late in the day for Democrats to win over Republicans with words, and it is more certain that we can’t win by giving into their cycnical and devious plans to defeat Health Care reform. What then can we do? “  Call their bluff.”  MWH  

Take the gloves off–the Republicans don’t care about Health Care Reform. They want Obama to fail in this important Health Care initiative. They want to hand over more customers to Big Pharma  (CO-Op option) and  put the insurance companies between us and our physicians. I am willing to trade the government for the insurance guys and replace over paid executives and excessive profiteering with competent bureaucrats and no profits. I am sure that this is a inalienable right for everyone living in America. The Republicans worship the almighty dollar. The only option they support will be one that keeps money in their pockets They use fear ( death bed and government take over arguments), lie for example Senator Grassly(R) and Backus (D) and Conrad(D) all saying we don’t have the votes for a public option. Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans will say or do anything to block Health Care reform because they have been bought by the Insurance and Pharma lobbyists. 

President  Obama needs to be assertive and get his team aligned on one message.  His willingness to reach out and include Republicans in the development of the Recovery Package shows that he values many points of view and that he still thinks like a Senator. Obviously. there are no easy solutions for the broken Health Care systen in America. Remember we voted for change we can believe in last November now a lot of us are beginning to fear that we elected only an opportunistic and pragmatic President who just wants to put a check next to Health Care bill passed rather than true Health Care Reform. The President says, he needs grasroots help and support for passing Health Care. He will get that support if he just acts on his campaign promises for true Health Care Reform. Building trust starts with good intentions and the ability to be inclusive. Yet he needs a willing partner and it seems like the Republicans are still riding that “one trick pony” no tax increases and sabotage what the American people want. Trust means being vulnerable and taking risks. I for one hope he keeps reaching out to try and build relationships when he has a willing partner in the Senate.  Yet I think the time has come to lay out clearly what he wants and challenge the Republicans and “Blue Dogs” to filabuster the bill he wants.  This action would be leadership we can believe in. He needs to be more assertive and passionate about why we don’t want and can’t afford a Health Care bill without a public option. He must show people his willingness to fight for what is right. His passion would bring new support from all those who voted for him or now need to see him act as a President. It motivates and moblizes people to help with the passage of real Health Care Reform. Time is running out Mr. President and if we don’t win on this battle you may be only a one-term President. Please step up I still believe.  

 

 

 

 

 

Warning for President Obama: Watch The Downside of Consensus

“When you win, nothing hurts.” Joe Nameth, Hall of Fame Quarterback for New York Jets

Mr. President–What is your priority —consensus/bipartisanship or achieveing the best Health Care Plan for America’s future ? And when the two are in conflict, which are you going to choose?  I would like to dig a little deeper on the obsessive need for consensus or bipartisan approach of the Obama team. First of all, the administration needs to assess if the group you are negotiating with wants to play fairly in looking for a solution or they just want ot play win-lose politics. Then you need to assess the nature of the problem in relationship to people’s needs and the time to implement changes. Do we need to act immediately or do we have time to build relationships and try to change the minds of our adversaries by presenting evidence-based arguments or creative common sense solutions. Then you try to determine the openness to new approaches, sincerity, needs and goals of the other party.

Obama’s Achilles Heel

Confidence–thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Of course, it is great to seek consensus and win-win decisions when you have parties in a negotiation that have common interests, respect, and a sense of fair play. It is a truism that a leader needs to be aware of and play to their strengths. President Obama has  many strengths–emotional intelligence, executive presence, inspiring viewpoints, calmness, consensus building, and the ability to organize and motivate others to action.

Obama’s “Yes We Can” Leadership– Defines Empathy through his Selection for the bench.

“When a good man is hurt all who would be called good must suffer with him.” - Euripides

Ashby Jones, of the WSJ Law Blog  and others such as Lawrence Hurley of the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Even the  Slate and the Washington Post, and the ED show on MSNBC are weighing in on what Asby calls the “Emotion of the Day”–Empathy. In this blog I will try and shine some light on this subject. Since, I am a Social Scientist, I will take a different approach then these other writers and talking heads.   

Obama’s “yes we can” Leadership: Risk and Caring Confrontation Essence of Diplomacy

” I think risk is important…You only get out of something what you put into it and the fact that you are willing to risk something (money, friendship health etc.) means that you are going to get a lot more out of it.” 

 Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia, the clothing company   

I have not written about the Obama Leadership Effect for awhile and yet I am tracking the elements and characteristics of his pragmatic and empathic leadership style. By now we all know and respect Obama’s ability to connect through articulate, approriate and inspiring messages. His calmness, executive presence and ability not to take things personnally demonstrate an extraordinary tolerance and respect for other points of view. People in general do not demonstrate this openness to truly listen and examine their own points of view while taking responsibility for challenging others actions vs. their professed beliefs.

The Challenge From Obama “Yes We Can” Leadership– Listening to Different voices and be Persistent

” You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” Wayne Gretsky, hockey star

At Obama’s press conference last night he issued a challenge for all of us. Can we learn how to be more persistent and patient?  He said that he is going to champion this idea.

Obama’s “Yes We Can” Leadership–Changing D.C. Mindset through Multi-tasking

“Don’t permit fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all”.  The pundit’s on CNN and MSNBC are worried about how much President Obama is taking on–the economy, health care, education and global climate change. The fact is the President promised change and he is doing what D.C. is not use to being a leader who is a pragmatic experimenter. His style values thoughtful action above more talk, delay, and more talk. His job is to change the way Washington works. In doing this he must help government agencies and Congress dramatically shrink the time it takes to get things done. The “power of focus and action” has been missing for many years in Washington.

Obama’s “Yes We Can ” Warp Speed Decision-Making Style

At a time when the economy is melting down, we are fighting two wars,  change is coming at us like a tornado, and the world is so interdependent we need a leader who gets “ it”. What is IT ?

Obama “Yes We Can” Leadership : The WOW Factor

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If  it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” FDR ,1934

WOW was I inspired.  Tuesday night, as I listened to President Barack Obama speak to the joint session of Congress, I had a sense of inclusion and pride in America. We hired one hell of smart guy. He levels with us and treats us as adults. He sees his leadership role as a servant of the people. How refreshing.  I did not expect a great deal of applause or bipartisanship from the Republicans. But I was surprised, they seem to be slowly coming around.

I am still in awe  of his ability to stay calm and focused in the eye of this economic storm. He displays a wonderful sense of humor including that great smile. His self-efficacy and confidence are just what we need.  He has an uncanny ability to explain the complex banking and credit crisis in common and understandable language. His executive presence and professional delivery were elegant.  I didn’t have to scream at the TV to correct his English, falsehoods, and spin. I just believe that he is  trying to get America going in the right direction again.  He will experiment and try different programs until he gets it right. It’s been a long time since I could have any sense of trust and admiration for the man called President.

Obama’s “Yes We Can” Essence of Change Challenge

 Thirty-five days and the  anger of critics is palpable for President Obama’s economic recovery programs. Cynics abound and yet the decisions being made are more thorough and thoughtful then the alternative “loyal opposition”  do-nothing approach. If you scan some blogs on wordpress,  Fox news or WSJ, you would think our rights have been usurped and Marshall law has been declared, all in the name of Fascism. This heated rhetoric belies the fact that foreclosures are down 25%, technology stocks are holding their own, and in some instances, are thriving, Pharmaceutical companies are successfully floating billion dollar bond offerings.  Change of this magnitude takes time  and patience.

Authentic Communications: Obama Leadership Effect

When we reflect on and look at the way we communicate and speak we are talking about leadership.  Leaders lead with their ideas, insights, words, presence and action. The way people speak and deliver words of praise or criticism reveals their values, beliefs and philosophy of life. It can make or break leaders because without trust there will be no followers. “Obama or leadership effect” hypothesizes that leaders will be measured and judged by their empathy, confidence, clarity, authenticity, and the impact of their communications and behavior, not intentions. Leadership is all about connecting, inspiring, and influencing others to come together and take united action.

Like it or not, our self awareness, mental presence, and confidence (mental state); elocution or mechanics (voice, gestures, movement, body language, and eye contact); and messages (verbal impact of content) determine how we are perceived by others and effect our ability to influence them.  Effective leadership and extraordinary communication integrates ideas, insights, and information to inspire and influence others to act on their message. Authentic communication must challenge individuals in profound ways to choose action over words. (Obama Effect)

Lessons Learned from the Obama Communication Style 

1. Know and go with what you got –Be authentic
2. Show understanding through empathy asking: “How do you think that would make you feel?” (Obama’s mother always asked him to answer this question when dealing with others)
3. Do not fear or over react to comments by others–Be true to your values and take the high road when building relationships.
4. Reflecting on life experiences keeps us grounded and our mental maps updated.
5. Keep your on eyes on the prize – Have a vision
6. Replace Yes, but… thinking  with Yes, we can… and positive action will follow.
7. Keep things in perspective and balance-Take vacations and pay attention to your family needs.
8. No one is optimistic all the time. But anyone can learn how to adopt a more positive, healthier attitude. When you practice being an optimist, you’ll be on your way to being more confident, relaxed, humorous, and effective as a connector and communicator.
9. Create “unique connections” by treating others with respect and dignity.  When people feel accepted and respected they have the desire and motivation to collaborate, share information, and work together to accomplish goals.
10. Provide a common language and powerful theme based on building coalitions and cooperation.  Yes, we can. The focus is providing a vision, strategy, and tactics to support grassroots coalitions in understanding the need for change by building a strong vision for the future and creating trust through open and ongoing communications. 

Finally, one of the most powerful lessons is to be an effective listener by seeking to understand others before being understood. You can do this by using the skills of clarification, restatement, and reflection. This type of authentic and active listening shows your desire to forge a partnership not just impose your ideas. You signal to others your desire to establish yourself as someone who is  open, responsive, and flexible. Your goal in active listening is to create a positive and comfortable environment where participants feel free to confront different points of view because you are confident that listening doesn’t always mean agreement. By being an effective listener you show acceptance –without sacrificing your own style or point of view. To be an extraordinary communicator it is critical that the “message, mechanics, and mental frame” be in-sync through a common language of ideas and information that say, ‘I care and respect you and understand your needs and issues‘.  This approach is vastly different from many leadership approaches that promote “polish and presence” as keys to effective communication. By utilizing The Obama-Leadership Effect ™, leader-communicators can authentically lead in diverse situations and strategically build trust and inspire others to believe in their message and vision. Leaders must find their own voice, so they can connect with followers and present themselves as authentic, inspiring and memorable leaders. Given your experience and perceptions–What do you think makes a leader able to connect and be perceived as authentic?