Obama's Potential, or: My dream for Authentic Leadership

I just can’t help it. I too belong to the vast number of people who see in Senator Barack Obama a striking agent of change and hope that he will become the next President of the United States of America. Last time I listened to one of his campaign speeches, he spoke about Hope, Change and Unity and I have to admit the message touched me to the bottom of my heart. As soon as the speech ended and the rationalization process kicked in, I asked myself what it is that fascinates me about Obama’s personal approach to politics. After giving it some careful thought, incorporating everything I’ve read about him so far, I found some fundamental values that Senator Obama carries throughout his campaign and which make him look like an authentic leader to me:

POSITIVITY
A powerful force in leadership is to convey a positive message to people. It sounds simplistic and naïve but is a basic truth about human nature: we crave for a positive spirit that guides us through complex times. We need something to look forward to, rather than fearing our future. To be hopeful and positive about change is inspiring and motivating; we all know what difficulties lay ahead of us but we want affirmation that we can deal with them. What Obama does is not lead us blindfolded into a ‘golden era’ of his presidency by telling us everything will be fine; but he tells us about his vision filled with the positive anticipation for what could come our way. Obama’s main catch phrase is that of Hope but don’t take it as a cheesy idealistic construct for the weak amongst us. Through the feeling of Hope, authentic leaders convey an important emotional message: that of positive action. According to psychologists, Hope is bi-dimensional, involving the willpower of a person as well as his waypower. That means a hopeful person is more likely to possess the will and capacity to decide and act, and to plan strategies to meet specific goals. If this is the strategy Obama has for this country, then he has a great attitude to offer. And sometimes, attitude trumps experience.

DIALOGUE
A description of Barack Obama as leader in practice caught my eye in the IHT. He is described as someone who has a “deep philosophical commitment to dialogue”, who in meetings wants to “suck the room of every idea”, someone who “orchestrates debate, playing participants off each other – and then highlighting their areas of agreement.” How often have we experienced such inquisitive characteristics in our leaders? The ability to take all available viewpoints into consideration is an indispensable behavior of effective - and authentic – leaders. It shows an awareness that some issues need to be looked at from different viewpoints and it is a commitment to constant learning and change. Instead of imposing their own ideas, oblivious to the fact that there could be better ones out there, these leaders want to utilize the enormous potential that lies within all associates. It can be an art for leaders to not only surround themselves with the best of all advisors, but to listen attentively and incorporate their inputs.
The advantages of open dialogue are manifold and yet few leaders manage to look beyond their status when confronted with useful comments by their subordinates. If Senator Obama continues to follow that path in his presidency, real and positive change will be possible.

CONSISTENCY
Looking back at the campaign so far, not even the harshest critics of Obama can say that he changed his story or original message to gain momentum(if they are honest). He never attacked his opponents personally or disrespectfully, whoever they were. He always stayed with the issue at hand and focused on his own vision than loosing energy on talking bad about others. Despite the most despicable attacks aimed at his person he managed to remain calm. It seems as if no destructive force in the world could make him stumble, because he knows what’s important to him and this country. It seems as if he has decided on some fundamental values a long time ago, and whilst allowing others to participate, he is perfectly able to manage the challenges ahead on the basis of his deepest beliefs.

Knowing how to reach his goal, however, does not make him an authentic leader. He obviously has to prove that he will do it, consistently over the coming four to eight years as president. But what strikes me and probably millions of others, is the consistency of his message, his plans for positive change and his whole public demeanor that is one of thoughtfulness, inner strength and genuine care. He communicates a feeling of reliability and trust, values that people crave for and which are indeed desirable in any leader.

Now, you may agree with me or not about my perception of Barack Obama and both is fine, of course. The above mentioned principles that I see displayed in this public figure stay with me regardless and I decide to project them into his type of leadership. If Senator Obama actually has the energy and willpower to enact an authentic leadership style once he enters the White House remains yet to be seen; for me, he certainly shows all the signs that he will.

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