Leadership the Barack Obama Way: Lessons on Teambuilding and Creating a Winning Culture in Challenging Times - Hardcover

Leanne, Shelly; Leanne, Shel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0071664025 ISBN 13: 9780071664028

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education, 2010

Synopsis

Use the President's history-making leadership skills in any business setting!

In his historic rise to the most powerful position in the world, Barack Obama single-handedly altered the concept of leadership around the world. Now, Shel Leanne―the expert on the Obama way of leadership―explains how to thrive in any business setting by adopting the same skill set.

Leadership the Barack Obama Way examines the ins and outs of the leadership style the President of the United States rode to heights of power nobody dreamed possible just a short time ago. Leanne breaks down Obama’s style into easily digestible pieces that you can apply in any situation.

You'll learn all the skills of extraordinary leadership, including how to:

• Communicate your vision in clear, persuasive language
• Create a “reservoir of goodwill”
• Form and lead outstanding teams
• Harness and leverage the power of technology
• Establish trust and confidence
• Build bridges among diverse people

Obama's adversaries passed him off as nothing more than a good speech-maker; they couldn't have been more wrong. The President is, indeed, an engaging speaker―but he is much more. His style of leadership is carefully planned and meticulously honed. Follow the Obama blueprint and lead your organization to the head of your industry.

About this title

About the Author

Shel Leanne is President of the Wishel Corporation, a leadership development firm whose clients include Fortune 500 businesses across the world. Prior to launching her company, Leanne gained experience working for McKinsey & Company and for Morgan Stanley in New York and London. She subsequently served as a full faculty member at Harvard University from 1997 to 2001, where she taught courses on social entrepreneurship and organizational design. She is also the author of How to Interview Like a Top MBA.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

LEADERSHIP THE BARACK OBAMA WAY

LESSONS ON TEAMBUILDING AND CREATING A WINNING CULTURE IN CHALLENGING TIMESBy SHELLY LEANNE

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 Regent Crest, Inc.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-07-166402-8

Contents

Chapter One

FIRST, WIN TRUST AND CONFIDENCE

"Now that's a leader."

Such was the reaction of millions of viewers in the United States and around the world on the second night of the 2004 Democratic National Convention, when Barack Obama stepped onto the stage and delivered an electrifying Keynote Address. The occasion marked, for most observers, a first glimpse of this young leader. It marked Obama's defining moment, when he formed a first impression so positive and so strong that it catapulted his career to new heights, greatly accelerating his trajectory from a first-time candidate to the U.S. Senate to President of the United States and "leader of the free world"—a journey he made in only four short years.

On that pivotal night in 2004, Obama's outstanding use of body language and image enabled him to reach out to TV viewers around the globe and open a positive dialogue even before he uttered a first word. With his confident gait, squared shoulders, assured smile, confident wave to the audience, and commanding stance, Obama evoked a sit-up-and-listen response. In him, people saw a confident, charismatic leader.

While body language and image allowed Obama to grab people's attention quickly through a strong first impression, his exceptional use of voice and intonation enabled him to sustain that attention through an excellent second impression. The deep timbre of his voice—his natural asset—reinforced the initial view. Obama skillfully controlled his voice to convey excitement, disapproval, urgency, and passion. He amplified his voice when appropriate, glided it up a half-octave when needed, and allowed it to diminish or fall flat at key times. He also varied the emotional texture of his tone—making it wistful at times, affectionate at others, indignant when appropriate—giving greater depth and impact to his words. Through masterful use of voice and intonation, Obama drew attention to key points, evoked an emotional response from the audience, rallied viewers to his words, and made his speech much more memorable.

Obama's gestures were equally effective, enhancing his delivery: knocking on an imaginary door; pinching his fingers at key times; writing words on air with an imaginary pen; raising his hand like a bar in a sweeping upward motion; holding his palm out like a stop sign. Obama combined these and many other gestures to drive home key points. Other well-timed gestures, such as placing his hand over his heart during a deeply felt testimony, allowed Obama to convey great emotion and sincerity. Obama reinforced these impressions with a strong third impression as he uttered words that resonated with the audience, conveying his commitment to American values and his embrace of laudable ethics. He came across as authentic, passionate, capable, and worthy both of trust and of leadership.

Public and media reaction to Obama's Keynote Address was immediate. Many viewers were moved to tears; others spoke of how the speech had swayed them. The media described Obama and his speech as magnetic, electrifying, energizing, and inspiring. The exceptional response testifies to Obama's success— within the span of a short, 20-minute address—in creating excellent first, second, and third impressions. In short, Obama won trust and confidence.

In the days that followed, the press continued to praise what many considered to be Obama's masterpiece of oration. "One of the best [addresses] we've heard in many, many years," CNN's Wolf Blitzer declared. "That's as good as they come ... This is a fellow who is talking beyond the Democratic base to the whole country.... It was terrific," political analyst Jeff Greenfield commented. The media deemed Obama a rising star.

The notable impact of Obama's defining moment in 2004 and the enduring impressions it created testify to the power of early impressions. Let's delve into what has enabled Obama to form such strong early impressions both during his 2004 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address and on many other occasions throughout his career.

Recognize the Power of Early Impressions

Obama understands that if you aspire to be a highly effective leader, you must win the trust and confidence of the people you hope to lead. People must trust your capabilities and judgment and believe that authority is well vested in you. In the absence of trust and confidence, little else follows. An important early task of all effective leaders, therefore, is to earn the trust and confidence of those they seek to lead.

To this end, Obama has demonstrated he understands the power of early impressions. The moment one person first moves into the presence of another, an opinion is formed. It is as if this initial image is etched in stone, becoming a lasting impression that, once formed, is hard to dislodge. Observers make up their minds quickly and tend to refer to that first impression long after it has been made. If it is negative, the ramifications can be significant. If positive, the first impression can help form a strong foundation for exercising effective leadership. Whether the impression is positive or negative, it takes a great deal of concerted effort to wear down the first impression enough to clear the slate and sketch anew. A first impression thus represents an important opportunity to create a positive lasting image that can be leveraged in support of effective leadership. It is best to get off to a strong start and avoid situations in which you must work hard to reverse the damage of a poor first impression. Skilled leaders make the most of this initial opportunity.

Indeed, Barack Obama has made an art of building strong early impressions. The deliberateness with which he walks, his careful choice of attire and setting, his demeanor and the tone with which he addresses people, calibrated by occasion, work together to serve his positive purposes. Like other notable leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan, people have seen and responded to the highly positive impressions they have formed of Obama and his passion, confidence, and command. The wide array of people who have supported Obama is striking, and includes politicians, large donors, small donors, policymakers, homemakers, white-collar workers, blue-collar workers, college students, and people from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. This testifies to the strength of the early impressions he makes. Obama even garners praise from opponents across the political aisle, including Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and conservative Christian evangelical leader Pat Buchanan.

Obama's success in creating such strong early impressions is not new. As with many aspects of his distinguished leadership, he has developed, practiced, and refined over the years his skill in creating such strong early impressions. A review of Obama's career, as far back as his college days, reveals high consistency in how much he has impressed others early on. Michael J. Wolf, for instance, who took an eight-student senior seminar on international politics and American policy with Obama at Columbia University in the 1980s, recalls Obama "stood out" and engaged in rigorous debate. Gerald Kellman, who interviewed Obama for a community organizing job in Chicago after college, hired him on the spot. He recounts how a confident, energetic young Obama impressed him exceedingly with his articulated desire to "make fundamental change," to drive change "from the grass roots," and to learn.

Adhering to the idea that practice helps drive toward perfection, Obama studied the speeches and oration of Martin Luther King, Jr. during college. By the time he reached law school, his contemporaries noted he sometimes spoke with a distinguished ministerial delivery, reminiscent of a southern African American minister. With study and practice, Obama delivered speeches that inspired and greatly moved others. This strengthened his reputation and aided his ascension to the presidency of the Harvard Law Review.

During his third year of Harvard Law School in 1991, Obama met with Judson H. Miner, the head of the Chicago law firm Miner, Barnhill, & Galland. Miner joined the long list of people immediately impressed by the young Obama. He hired Obama and readily served as his mentor, introducing Obama to the power players of Chicago.

During his run for the U.S. Senate, Obama's strong early impressions helped him inspire so much trust and confidence that he broke through traditional barriers to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. Obama acknowledged the early impressions he was able to establish and sustain, and he recalled, "We defied conventional wisdom about where votes come from because the assumption is, whites won't vote for blacks, or suburban folks won't vote for city people, or downstate won't vote for upstate.... We were able to put together a coalition that said, you know, people are willing to give anybody a shot if they're speaking to them in a way that makes sense."

This Illinois victory was followed by more historic firsts— Obama's victory in the Iowa Democratic presidential caucus in January 2008, a win that surprised a nation, making millions of Americans realize his presidential bid, once considered improbable, was indeed viable. On the evening of the Iowa victory, Obama delivered a speech that inspired more Americans, viewing him for the first time, to take a good look and consider his candidacy. On that occasion, his ability to create a strong first impression served him excellently.

Even in defeat, Obama came before the viewing audience confident and determined to continue forward to victory in the 2008 Democratic presidential nominating process. He spoke with assuredness and determination, thereby inspiring trust and confidence. Following his loss on April 22, 2008, in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, for instance, Obama delivered one of the more powerful speeches of his presidential campaign, culminating in the oft-repeated refrain, "Yes we can!" He succeeded in projecting himself as a winner even in the aftermath of that short-term defeat. In doing so, he kept supporters' morale high and momentum moving forward even amid a setback. At that time—as throughout his career spanning community organizing work, teaching as a law professor, work as a firm lawyer, and politics—the strong early impressions Obama formed helped establish his credibility as a leader.

What accounts for his long, consistent record of success in creating such positive first impressions? What is Obama doing? What practices have enabled him to earn such high levels of trust and confidence throughout his career? Let's delve into some of his best practices—his skillful use of image and body language, voice and intonation, and props; and his ability to form strong third impressions through strong starts, successful efforts to convey his solid ethics, and preparedness.

Create a Strong First Impression Through Image and Body Language

Is the adage true that first impressions matter? Aspiring leaders ask me this question more consistently than most other questions as I teach about leadership in seminars, conferences, and corporate retreats. Can first impressions really be that important? Through years of work with Fortune 50 executives, leaders of highly successful entrepreneurship companies, and the heads of leading nonprofit organizations, I have seen what inspires people to follow such leaders. I can say with certainty the answer is a resounding yes. First impressions matter. First impressions last. Leaders should think of a first impression as a critical, one-time opportunity—a crucial, defining moment.

Through image and body language, even before you utter a word, you open a dialogue that speaks volumes. Obama understands this and provides an outstanding example of how to maximize positive early impressions. He is excellent at establishing first impressions— truly, from the first moment. Note his purposeful walk; the visual contact he makes with audiences early on, stretching his hand to them in a friendly wave that narrows the physical distance between them; the confidence he exudes through his posture. From the moment Barack Obama steps in front of an audience, he conveys charisma through many nonverbal attributes such as his bright smile and the confident sparkle in his eyes. This marks the beginning of a conversation of sorts. His success with first impressions reminds us that body movement and image speak a language to the audience as potent as anything said aloud.

Good eye contact has also been valuable to Obama. Like Bill Clinton, Obama rarely hesitates to establish strong eye contact. He thrives on connecting with his audiences and is energized by this. As he talks to audiences, he draws the room in as he looks to one side of the room, sometimes with a slight nod of acknowledgment, then to the other side. As Obama varies his gaze throughout his discussion, naturally and smoothly, he engages onlookers more fully. Audience members perceive this as respectful, welcoming them; they deem Obama trustworthy—a leader who will look them in the eyes. That good early impression lasts.

The confidence displayed by Obama's pat-on-the-back greetings with some people who introduce him is also an early action that communicates his comfort and assuredness. He is at ease. Standing before lecterns, feet placed firmly, back straight and shoulders squared, he sends a message of confidence and authority. Where there is a lectern, he often places hands on each side of it, taking control. The lectern, for him, never serves as a crutch or an obstacle between him and his audiences.

In rising as fast as he has, from obscurity to clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama has shown how full of impact a strong first impression can be. From his confident gait as he enters a room, to his exiting wave, Obama captivates with highly effective body language. Imagine if, instead of exuding such confidence, Obama walked on stage with his chin lowered and shoulders slouched. What a vastly different image, with all the lack of confidence that would convey. Imagine if he were to offer only a sheepish wave, or fidget often with his hands on the podium. We have all encountered leaders for whom body language served as a hindrance to effective leadership rather than as an aid. If a leader enters a room with a slow, despondent gait and speaks to her or his team with an unenthusiastic expression and slumped shoulders, that body language conveys a lack of confidence even if she or he speaks words intended for an opposite effect. When choosing between words uttered and body language, consciously or unconsciously, most observers assume body language speaks the truth. If leaders cannot convince themselves to believe in a message, as indicated through their body language, others will not believe their message either.

In contrast to this, Obama's body language works to project him as a capable leader. He demonstrates that persons seeking to present themselves as leaders—worthy of authority and fit to be followed— should "walk the part" and "act the part." Through first impressions, these actions can lay an important foundation for commanding authority.

Obama shows that leaders should also "dress the part." Like his body language, Obama uses his image to his advantage. The variation of the old cliché "You are what you wear" holds abundant truth. For Obama, his style of dress and his clean-shaven appearance convey an image of a straight shooter, a man with good moral values, a hard worker. There are, of course, successful leaders who adopt very different appearances. It is possible to imagine the successful businessman who wears shoulder-length hair swooped back in a ponytail, or a successful businesswoman who breaks with advice to dress conservatively and wears ornate jewelry and bright makeup. But images convey messages also, and those who choose to break from tradition sometimes find they must work a little harder to gain the confidence of others, because their image does not fit neatly with expectations. There is no right or wrong, but Obama's choice is to present an image that is highly consistent with the values he has sought to represent in himself—as an everyday man with solid down-home values.

Moreover, Obama skillfully tailors how he presents himself by occasion. If seeking to convey respect for a solemn, important occasion, he might wear a dark suit and tie. If seeking to connect with a youth group, he might don more casual attire. If addressing an audience during a more informal occasion, he might appear in a casual shirt with his sleeves rolled up. His success in presenting a positive image evokes comments from people such as "He looks like a hard worker" or "He looks like someone you can trust." Obama shows that excellent use of image can serve as another factor in creating strong early impressions.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from LEADERSHIP THE BARACK OBAMA WAYby SHELLY LEANNE Copyright © 2010 by Regent Crest, Inc.. Excerpted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Edition details

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0071664025
• ISBN 13: 9780071664028
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304