As the first 100 days passes, it would be useful to look at the Leadership style of President Obama so far.
Well he has been busy! It could be said that he arrived at a busy time with the economic issues, the Iraq and Afghanistan issues and a few other global and local problems on his desk. However, we have seen a man that has not shied away from the issues and in reality seems to have not only taken them head on, but also taken on ones that could have been put to one side for a while.
The size of the agenda he has launched into, is quite breathtaking. He has recognized that an immediate and sharp turn was needed away from the Bush approach to the world. President Obama needed to stamp his position and approach on a world that was largely seeking to make America irrelevant. He carefully sent out a clear signal that there was significant differences between the America of pre 2008 and the America of 2009 and beyond.
As with his campaign, he has recognized that the approaches of the past that have not achieved results, need rethinking. With Cuba, Iran and even Venezuela he has shown he is ready to relook at the situation. Not in a one-way approach to everything that dominated the Bush/Cheny era but with a proactive dialogue that engages and doesn’t distant other nations. He has shown more than once in both his campaign and in the first 100 days that he is open to new thinking and new approaches. This is probably one of the most significant leadership approaches that marks his style.
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America" he told the crowd gathered for his inauguration, on January 20, 2009.
It has been acknowledged that USA has not always got it right in the past. He has done this in a way that does not attempt to excuse it but also does not dwell on it either. His recognition that other cultures see the world differently, has been a breath of fresh air across the globe. Generally Americans do not understand the difference in cultures and so are unable to see themselves through the eyes of other people. President Obama is not condoning other cultures and certainly not promoting American culture as the right one. He is acknowledging that there are some differences and, most importantly, that the real issue is about how to co-exist rather than confront.
There is a wonderful expression, “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”. Obama has certainly embraced this approach while at the same time not coming over as weak or unable to take a stand when needed. This is probably the second more significant leadership approach worth noting. People know where they stand with him but he has also got the ability to view the world through their eyes. People respect that.
Interestingly, his approach to the economy has received mixed reaction. Obviously the opposition party has said it is totally wrong, but even amongst his supporters there is doubts about it. One aspect that has been interesting was how early in the Presidency Tim Guitner was being slammed and now a few short weeks later, he is seen as probably quite astute. Certainly Obama has stuck by his man. His popularity has only dropped 3 points since the beginning of the 100 days but the public’s views of the handling of the economy is a lot lower.
It would appear that the reason people are prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt on the economy. Maybe it is simply that there is no viable alternative course of action is being held up. The Republican opposition has got good at pointing out what they think is wrong but not really holding up any viable alternative approach. Basically, the public see the problem as, do we hit the economy from the left or from the right. That is not a big question compared to do we use a 2 pound hammer or a 10 pound hammer? Do we hit it hard or tap it? Do we hit it at all? Those sort of differences may force people to group behind either the Democrats or the Republicans.
What is notable in terms of his leadership style through the economic crisis has been his willingness to make a decision and go with it without allowing himself to be distracted. He has not tried to find the perfect solution (probably because he recognizes that there simply isn’t one) and rather set a direction and then modify as he goes. A great lesson in knowing when the planning is over and action must begin, but action does not have to be rigid. I think it is called, Ready, Aim, Fire and Steer.
Is it working? Only Americans would be expecting results already. It is that same short term mentality of seeking immediate results that got us into the financial crisis we have. Only time will tell how much will be achieved but certainly the ground has been well prepared in the first 100 days.
America has certainly been granted a reprieve by the world. More countries are wanting to work with America to tackle issues, than they were in the last eight years or so. The approach to the economy is either right or wrong, time will tell but at least the approach is very similar across the globe.
The criticism that he is not being bipartisan is amusing to the rest of the world who are looking in from the outside. He can only be bipartisan if both sides want to find common ground. Bipartisan is not simply agreeing with the opposition. The GOP are jumping up and down saying that he is reaching out too far to people like Chavez of Venezuela, when they are seen as keeping their hands by their sides in Congress and the Senate. The truth is, they cannot be bipartisan because they are too frightened that they will loose their own seats. I imagine that behind the rhetoric and away from the cameras, there is a lot more bipartisanism going on.
Obama’s greatest challenge will be America itself. America thinks it has defined itself when in reality it has not for the modern world. It blames other parts of the world for the religious influence on their society and speaks strongly about democracy. But within America it strongly holds its religious positions despite the democratic will of the people. It holds up it Constitution when it suits and ignores it when it suits. It holds up the rule of law when it suits and then sets it aside when it suits.
There are fundamental flaws that undermine the long term strength of America and these need to be addressed. Americans are quick to pick up on minor issues like a hand shake and ignore more important issues like the desire to bury the past. America is quick to shout about human rights on the other side of the globe while justifying actions on the grounds of security. On these simple points, there are other parts of the world that are gaining ground still on America. China may not have a good record on human rights, but it is not pretending to be either. Cuba may not be democratic but it doesn’t pretend to be and what is the difference between them and Saudi Arabia? Venezuela may be vocal in opposition to America but it is a democracy and America still buys its oil while being vocal about everyone else.
Can President Obama tackle these long terms and internal issues? Only time will tell.
Leadership style so far has included:
Being prepared to consider an alternative approach and be more inclusive
Drawing a line on what has happened and now seeking solutions
Acknowledging past mistakes without dwelling them
Showing what he stands for and winning respect first
Being decisive and taking action
Surrounding himself with clever people
Understanding that there may be a different point of view
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