Obama 2.0: Reclaiming his Leadership Backbone
Almost halfway through his first term as president, Barack Obama has fallen far short of the expectations most Americans had of his leadership. Can he get his mojo back?
Yes, by channeling one of his heroes, Abraham Lincoln. Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn reminds us that Lincoln, at a similar point in his presidency, was equally befuddled, listening too much to what others thought he should do rather than believing in his own vision for the country.
"He found his own core strength as a leader only after he had exhausted every alternative within the traditional order. Only then, in a place of self-doubt and some desperation, did Lincoln discover the larger frame for the war and his purpose leading it: to save the Union," Koehn writes in a Washington Post op-ed.
She continues, "Like Lincoln, Obama must learn to lead from the inside out. He must find his animating purpose, the inner strength he possesses to serve this mission, and the resources he has--outside the realm of political and economic elites--to accomplish the overriding objective of his presidency."
Koehn's advice to the president should be considered by all chief executives who have lost their way. Here's a summary:
- Begin by framing the stakes of this moment for Americans and for the rest of the world. Identify the big issues to be addressed over the next two years. Set the agenda and prioritize.
- Outline America's central mission in addressing these issues. "He's going to have to bring home time and again both the tradeoffs involved in tackling our problems effectively and the animating values at the heart of the American experiment," Koehn says.
- Push beyond the beltway to establish direct, ongoing communication with ordinary Americans. This can include televised fireside chats or town hall meetings.
The message that Obama take his message directly to the people is an especially powerful lesson for business leaders. Too often we get wrapped up listening to senior executives and consultants -- breathing too much of our own air -- and lose touch with the men and women in the trenches who really get the business done. The more you can connect on an emotional level with them, the more your organization will have your back.
What do you think the president needs to do to restore his leadership?