The leader that I chose to focus on in my blog is President Barack Obama. His rise to power has been both fascinating and inspiring to me. Throughout his political career, each of his victories has been a long-shot to landslide conquest. His introspection and apparent calm in the face of crisis exudes the qualities of a true problem solver in a time when our country needs it most. He gathers teams of problem solvers to the table, both friend and foe, in order to clearly see all sides of an issue. To me, this is a true leader.
In learning a bit about Obama’s life, it is clear that his introspection is resultant of his attempt to understand his own true identity. Born to Ann Dunham of Wichita, Kansas and Barack Obama, Sr. of Kenya, his life took many twists. His father returned to Kenya when Barack was two years old, and his mother married an Indonesian man named Lolo Soetoro. The family moved to Indonesia where Barack witnessed true poverty and despair. When he was ten years old, his mother moved Barack back to Hawaii to live with his grandparents so that he could get a better education, and he entered a world in which he was the only Black student in his class. He struggled with this part Black, part White, part Hawaiian, part Indonesian identity. He embraced a “party life-style” during his first years in college, partaking in drugs and alcohol. It appears as though it was not until his entry into Columbia College where he decided to study Political Science that his focus on his identity as an individual with power in his diverse background began to unfold.
My true fascination with Barack Obama lies in his conviction to create powerful communities through grassroots efforts. While attending Columbia College, Obama decided turn his efforts toward community activism. He moved to Chicago and worked with the people in the less desirable neighborhoods where most politicians dared not enter. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty in order to mobilize people in an organized fashion. He listened; he processed; he organized; he acted. That is the form of leadership that I hope to embrace.
A & E Television Networks (Producer). (2008). Barack Obama: From His Childhood Years to His Historic Election [Documentary]. (Available from New Video Productions, USA).
Taylor, L. & Herbert, K. (2008, March 2). Obama Forged Path as Chicago Community Organizer. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 17, 2009, from
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/nyusobam025598601mar02,1,6933215,full.story
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Hi Peggy,
ReplyDeleteIn reading about Barack, I see similarities with my leader Lee Iacocca. He too knew what it was like to get his hands dirty and work with and for the people. In his early years he sold cars in a small Pennsylvania town as one of his first jobs. He thanked his mentor for making him do this. He said it gave him a greater appreciation for what the people wanted in a car. I also think a person's background has a lot to do with their success in life. Lee knew that he was treated differently because he was Italian. Later in his career he treated everyone equally, regardless of their ethnic background. I think this is a key component to becoming a great leader.
Hi Peggy,
ReplyDeleteI too am impressed with Obama. I am waiting to see the Republican response to Obama's offer of bipartisan policy . If they refuse his offer of bipartisanship, what does thay say about their motives?! It does say alot about Obama's leadership to me. A leader that is willing to work with all members, even those opposed to him, speaks volumes of his good intent.
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ReplyDeletePeggy,
ReplyDeleteI am excited abut this historical election and the presidency of Barack Obama. The stakes are very high for him on so many fronts. As long as he maintains an administration that encourages colaboration between parties he should experience success. Even if he does face opposition he is a leader with fortitude and withstand it all.