January 20, 2009 was an historic day in the United States – the inauguration of Barack Obama.  In fact, we may look back at this day as the start of one of the greatest turning points in American history. One that extends well beyond the election of our first black president. Many certainly feel that the new president can lead us out of a crisis and into a new era of prosperity, the restoration of US influence and a new standard of life not solely based on wealth.  Of course that is merely a hypothesis right now.  Regardless of your view, I encourage all of us to pay close attention to the events that will unfold with this president and his administration over the next several years.   If such a transformation does unfold, the current generations of Americans will have an opportunity to witness a level of leadership that has been missing many years in our political theater. The rest of this entry focuses the transformational leadership qualities of the new president.  Please read on and share your comments.

The Definition of a Transformational Leader

A transformational leader is grounded in integrity because their actions are aligned with a strong sense of purpose and values.  They are embody a great vision and are firmly committed to forwarding that vision in the face of present circumstances – no matter how dire those circumstances are.   Yet, their conviction is not so strong that they are unwilling to take counsel from those who have knowledge in a particular arena.  They have the ability to connect with a wide variety of people and are able to bring out the best side of others in the service of the common good.   Such leaders challenge us to step out of our own comfort zones and reconnect to our deeper values and lead lives aligned with bigger visions than we had before.  The result of such a leader is revolutionary change.  Some examples of previous transformational leaders in our recent past include Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

Most people sense the strength of President Obama’s leadership qualities and in fact one small measure of this were the results from our poll from 80 of our readers during the election.   Yet, more importantly are the early signs of how President Obama will lead.  The way he led his campaign and the transition, carried himself during the Inauguration, as well as the bold actions he has taken in his first days as president have all given signals of how he will lead.  The rest of this entry looks back at those words (mostly coming from his inaugural address) as well as these early actions he has taken and is done so in the context of key transformational leadership qualities.

The Foundation of Transformative Work: Focusing on a Clear Purpose that is Oriented to Serve a Greater Good

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord“

President Barack H. Obama

President Obama has said that his primary purpose is to refocus our country on the values it was founded on and rebirth its leadership in the world.  The goals are to renew our country to its promise, build a prosperity that can be shared with all and make the world a safer place.  Thus far he is walking his talk and early indications are he will deliver on his promises.  He has surrounded himself by strong personalities – all committed to his vision yet with differing views on the best way to bring it forward which should keep him from becoming insulated.

A Transformative Leader Inspires People to Share Their Vision

“Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions – who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.“

President Barack H. Obama

In this one statement he invites us all to think big and believe we can step into the big shoes of our ancestors from the Revolutionary war, the Civil War, both World Wars, and the Great Depression.   Yet, now President Obama has shown the power of vision by ascending to the presidency when less than a year ago – the odds were against him.

In the business world, the concept of vision has been overemphasized and under utilized.  This is because that most visions are not grounded in a great sense of purpose, driven from a depth of passion or contain the resolve necessary to achieve them in the face of all obstacles.  Many visions within business have been created as an exercise rather than a serious undertaking.  Again, we have a chance to watch and learn from a visionary leader who knows how to move forward his vision under dire times.  All of us who are aiming to create something great can learn from watching such a leader in action.

Transformative Leaders Move Forward on Their Vision Even in the Face of Current Circumstances.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met.”

President Barack H. Obama

The President has consistently said that we face a deep crisis – one of a magnitude not seen by our generation.  He has not avoided the reality that getting through it will mean sacrifice and that it will take time.  Yet, in the face of that and from depth of his conviction he knows we will overcome this and can become better because of it.  When a leader holds such conviction – it is not hard to feel hope and feel reconnected to our own inner strength.  He is clear he can not do it alone and will need our partnership to succeed. This is what a great leader does.

Transformational Leaders Reconnect Us to Our Deeper Values and Asks Us to Step Out of Our Comfort Zones to Live Consistently with Them.

“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.”

President Barack H. Obama

Recent history in the business world has shown – when we try to play with numbers and when we try to trick the system – it eventually back fires.   In the business world, many have lost their way not because they are bad people but because they became disconnected from their values and the true principles that guide success and fulfillment.   People failed because they tried to cut corners and live from desires without a foundation in convictions.  Because of this it became easier to take actions that would provide instant gratification rather than ensure greater and longer-term results.  That being said, a leader shows we don’t have to sacrifice one thing for the other.  Prosperity and the common good must serve each other – they are actually indispensable teammastes.  As President Obama said:

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things – some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

Transformational Leaders can Connect to and Inspire a Wide Spectrum of People

People describe President Obama as down to earth, real, and authentic.   If you watched any coverage of the inaugural balls you saw he and Michelle connecting genuinely and uniquely at each one they attended.  President Obama embodies diversity and has the uncanny capacity to connect with people quickly and genuinely no matter their background or political persuasions. He has shown that he can respect someone as a person even if that individual vehemently disagrees with his views.  Yes, he lambasted the Bush Administration for their policies yet he always showed respect for President Bush himself.  He has also embraced this in the way he has selected his cabinet by bringing in the best people to his cabinet without regard to differences.  In fact, he sees those differences as healthy ways to challenge his thinking and approaches.  Again, pay attention to how people are responding to this change and to his leadership.  While we are early into it yet there seems to be a palatable and positive shift in how many people are responding to each other.

Transformational Leaders Understand Power and How to Use it Well.

One of my favorite quotes from the President’s speech is as follows:
“(previous generations) understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.’

Transformational leaders are focused on aligning their organizations to serve the common good.   They know the power they have yet use it in such a way that keeps everyone focused on the common purpose and allows for actions that deliver result yet in a way that honors our values and forwards the shared vision.  They understand if power is wielded to control and destroy – there are negative repercussions.  If power is not wielded at all the vision will not be forwarded at all.  Obama invited people to “unclench their fists” to receive an open hand of friendship.  Yet, he also said this:

“We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense.  And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken — you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.“

Transformational leaders use power to uplift and build momentum towards common purpose yet they also are not afraid to use power forcefully if forces wield violence towards the common good.

Transformational Leaders are Inclusive and Maintain Trust Through Transparency:

In President Obama’s address he only spoke in the first person (using I or me) three times while he spoke inclusively (using we, our, us) 143 times ¹!  This is an indication of Obama’s orientation to create a sense that we are all in this together.  Again, his inclusiveness is also highlighted by the diversity of his cabinet choices as well as his ability to walk in many circles and feel at home.

Obama also promises that there will be unprecedented level of transparency for his administration.  Have you visited the White House Website yet?  There is a blog that provides daily updates on the administrations agenda, the ability to write directly to the president or his cabinet officers.  In addition, Obama signed an executive order in his first day of office that brought back to life “The Freedom of Information Act” so that it truly serves the American People and not the administration.  In talking about this executive order President Obama said:

“The Freedom of Information Act is perhaps the most powerful instrument we have for making our government honest and transparent, and of holding it accountable”

Transformational Leaders Act Consistently and Boldly from Their Purpose and Vision

Well much of President Obama’s impact remains to be seen yet if his transition and first days in office are any indication – the momentum will build and great things can be accomplished.  He has moved quickly to set a foundation for action with his cabinet and early executive orders.  Now that he is in office – we can watch it all unfold.

Yet, In her sermon at the National Prayer Service on January 22 – Reverend Dr. Sharon E. Watkins fired a warning over the presidents bow saying:

“What you are entering now, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, will tend to draw you away from your ethical center. But we, the nation that you serve, need you to hold the ground of your deepest values, of our deepest values. Beyond this moment of high hopes, we need you to stay focused on our shared hopes, so that we can continue to hope, too. We will follow your lead.”

Mr. President many will follow your lead- as long as you are leading in a way that is consistent with the standards you have set to date.

Tags: Obama, Political Leadership, Transformational Leadership

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 at 10:19 pm and is filed under Executive Engagement, Interpersonal Engagement, Leadership Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.