| In our examinations of various leadership styles | | | | such an outstanding orator, speaking well would |
| and leadership qualities, none could possibly be | | | | be his key tool to influence and gain consensus. |
| more apt than Barack Obama as a case study. | | | | However, we must realise that communication |
| His refreshing ideology and brilliant execution | | | | starts with listening, and President Obama proves |
| certainly bestows us with many leadership lessons | | | | to be as good at listening as he is at speaking. As |
| to draw from. | | | | he proves to the world that he, along with the |
| Who is He? | | | | United States is finally willing to listen, the flame is |
| Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th President of | | | | reignited for further relationships to be forged and |
| the United States. As an African American born in | | | | diplomacy to take place. When asked by a |
| Hawaii, Obama took interest in being a community | | | | German reporter about his designs for the NATO |
| organiser in a low income neighbourhood, and | | | | in 2009, he humbly replied, "I don't come bearing |
| served as a church based community organiser | | | | grand designs, I'm here to listen, to share ideas |
| before studying Law at Harvard Law School. He | | | | and to jointly, as one of many NATO allies, help |
| was eventually sworn in as senator of Illinois in | | | | shape our vision for the future." |
| 2004 and inaugurated as the President of the | | | | This leads to the second quality of empathy. The |
| United States in 2009. He was also awarded the | | | | ability to put himself in the shoes of others so |
| Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to | | | | naturally allows President Obama to be able to |
| strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation | | | | feel for his people, and this helped shape many of |
| between peoples". | | | | his policies, such as his healthcare reform. The |
| Leadership Style | | | | president once said, "The world doesn't just |
| Among the most apparent style of leadership | | | | revolve around you." This highlights his strong |
| that can be seen from President Obama is its | | | | belief that one need to learn to see things through |
| transformational nature. Being highly charismatic | | | | the eyes of others. As leaders, it is pertinent to |
| and exceedingly eloquent, President Obama is | | | | be able to see issues via the eyes of those we |
| easily able to influence the people he lead to work | | | | work with in order to understand their concerns. |
| towards a common goal and achieve something | | | | The ability to do so would certainly allow us to |
| larger than themselves. His persuasive and | | | | become a more understanding and empathetic |
| diplomatic style contrasts starkly with the more | | | | leader. |
| aggressive and confrontational measure of his | | | | President Obama also scores well in terms of |
| predecessor President Bush, and it would definitely | | | | being able to delegate tasks to more capable |
| play an important role in forging international | | | | hands, and concerns himself more wit the |
| cooperation and inspiring action at home. | | | | direction setting and visioning of the nation. In |
| As much as it is ideological, President Obama's | | | | higher management, delegation is a crucial skill to |
| leadership is also highly pragmatic, focusing on | | | | master in order to be effective. It allows us to |
| concrete issues such as non-insurance of | | | | focus on what we are paid to do, that is to LEAD |
| healthcare and relationship with the Muslim world. | | | | and MANAGE our team, rather than to |
| This leadership trait is integral in his success in | | | | micromanage and be take on the jobs of our |
| translating his noble ideas into reality. | | | | whole team. |
| President Obama's leadership is also characterised | | | | President Obama's frankness is also another key |
| by strong communication with the citizens of | | | | that sets him apart from countless other |
| America and the people of the world. In this new | | | | politicians. By communicating his goal honestly and |
| world of information and knowledge, President | | | | clearly, listeners are able to sense his sincerity and |
| Obama is able to capitalise on the media to | | | | will tend to trust him more. This is opposed to |
| communicate his views and messages to the | | | | many others who choose not to come clean |
| American citizens. This fact is evident from his | | | | regarding certain ulterior motives, apparent as |
| presence in talk shows. Being at the top of the | | | | they may be, and this only mean that listeners |
| any large organisation, it is crucial that messages | | | | are less willing to trust them wholeheartedly. |
| and ideas get translated clearly right down to the | | | | The last and certainly not the least of his qualities |
| last man so as to ensure congruency in intent. In | | | | is his willingness to make tough decisions. Despite |
| this aspect, Obama has excelled in his keeping the | | | | preaching cooperation and mutual agreement, |
| people he governs in the know. | | | | President Obama is aware that gaining a majority |
| Leadership Qualities | | | | of consensus is not possible and economic, and |
| Being one of a kind, President Obama epitomises | | | | tough calls may have to be made at times. Right |
| several leadership qualities and these can be | | | | or wrong, it is more important to make a decision |
| valuable leadership lessons to take away. | | | | and take action, rather than to delay and shriek |
| Foremost, he listens. One would think that for | | | | the responsibility to successors. |