Archive for the 'Obama Leadership effects' Category
” 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? Continue reading ‘Health Care Reform “People before Profits”–President Obama’s Time is NOW!’
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. Continue reading ‘Yes, We Can Leadership on Health Care Reform–Where are the “Profiles in Courage”? Where is the Public Rage?’
“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? Continue reading ‘Assertive Leadership–Message to President Obama on Health Care Reform’
“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. Continue reading ‘Warning for President Obama: Watch The Downside of Consensus’
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. RooseveltOf 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. Continue reading ‘Obama’s Achilles Heel’
“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. Continue reading ‘Obama’s “Yes We Can” Leadership– Defines Empathy through his Selection for the bench.’
” 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. Continue reading ‘Obama’s “yes we can” Leadership: Risk and Caring Confrontation Essence of Diplomacy’
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. Continue reading ‘The Challenge From Obama “Yes We Can” Leadership– Listening to Different voices and be Persistent’
“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. Continue reading ‘Obama “Yes We Can” Leadership : The WOW Factor’
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. Continue reading ‘Obama’s “Yes We Can” Essence of Change Challenge’
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
- Know and go with what you got –Be authentic
- 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)
- Do not fear or over react to comments by others–Be true to your values and take the high road when building relationships.
- Reflecting on life experiences keeps us grounded and our mental maps updated.
- Keep your on eyes on the prize – Have a vision
- Replace Yes, but… thinking with Yes, we can… and positive action will follow.
- Keep things in perspective and balance-Take vacations and pay attention to your family needs.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?