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The Obama Leadership Method -- How does he do it? (338 hits)

Here is a wonderful summary of the approach Barack Obama has taken to leadership. This observation was provided by Lani Guinier, writing for TheRoot.com. Click here to read the full article -- http://www.theroot.com/id/47777:

"In 1995, as he launched his first campaign for public office in Chicago, Barack Obama wondered aloud, "What if a politician were to see his (or her) job as that of an organizer: as part teacher and part advocate, one who does not sell voters short but who educates them about the real choices before them?" Then, answering his own question, Obama concluded, "We must form grass-root structures that would hold me and other elected officials more accountable for their actions."

"One of the biggest accomplishments of the Obama campaign has been to build a new generation of leaders. It has spent its time not merely wooing young enthusiastic supporters; it has been grooming them to assume the mantle of leadership within their local communities. Obama's model of organizing goes beyond raising money or turning in great debate performances. It involves building a new capacity for Democratic governance, not just acting as litmus paper for a set of progressive proposals. Progressive reform without the people, after all, is not progressive at all."

This approach challenges all of us to get involved -- some as supporters, some as followers, some as challengers. This is how change is brought about from the grass roots -- Obama style.