His campaign for the White House is like an incoming tide, an inevitable turn of the pages of history that will redefine the political landscape of the USA.
Not Bill Clinton who I used to think was THE populist politician of our time.
Not Tony Blair who can always turn a crowd - even in a deeply critical society like England.
Not Kevin Rudd who gushed into office in Australia recently running against a government with a very successful track record.
...and definitely none of the current elected democratic leaders or unelected heads of state in todays world.
Against a political heavyweight like Senator Clinton, drawing out new voters and young voters, persevering when others had lost heart, and continually breaking the rules and confounding opponents.
Politics, like business, is about leadership. The ability to enthuse and motivate people, to make them believe (not think) that you are talking to them directly, to inspire them with the vision, and to drive them to take action.
Since his speech at the 2004 democratic convention he has been a case study in leadership and brand creation.
Lessons Learned
So win lose or draw, what can we learn from Barack Obama?
1. Don't give up.
Did you see Obama lose in New Hampshire? That was the first time I ever saw his "yes we can" mantra.
If I hadn't known the result already I would have thought he had won convincingly! Inspiring oratory - and one of the most memorable speeches of the campaign.
2. Have a mantra
Coke is it - Coca Cola
Do no evil - Google
A computer on every desk - early Microsoft
Yes we can...
Every time I see this guy speak he is there with his mantra. "Yes we can".
What an inspiring and memorable phrase; an exercise in classic branding techniques. Have a look at the titles of his books:
- Dreams of my father
- The audacity of hope
Yes we can...
Obama = Hope. Powerful stuff!
3. Tell positive and inspiring stories
This is a great stuff. Story telling has been a part of the human condition since we first drew on the walls of caves. Today if you are going to lead then you must be able to tell compelling, convincing and (above all else) inspiring stories.
There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. - Democratic Convention, 2004
Look back at the campaign for the Democratic Nomination. Edwards always talked about poor and unfortunate people who were downtrodden and fighting against gigantic corporations. Noble sentiments, appealing issues... but sad and pretty uncomfortable to hear. (For me anyway)
Obama, on the occasions when I have seen him speak. Is always talking not about the reasons why change is needed, but about overcoming adversity.
He calls on the ghosts of past US leaders from Martin Luther King Jr, to John F Kennedy, to Ronald Reagan. All leaders who achieved incredible outcomes against a backdrop of adversity and seemingly impossible odds.
In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. New Hampshire concession speech.it might be just me but every time I see Senator Clinton talk, she is telling us how she is up to the job, every time I see McCain talk - he's telling us how he is the obvious choice for an aggressive world, ever time I see, Huckabee - Miracles.
But when Senator Obama speaks, he tells us how we can do it, and inspires us to believe that.
4. Persevere
For me this guys defining moment in the campaign was the New Hampshire concession speech. I was a bit disappointed for him, but like most other people at that time I thought Hilary Clinton was possibly a better choice for nominee.
When I watched him I expected something upbeat. Hold the line, we went down but we'll get back up - and so on.
History is now written on that one - straight into just how far they (his supporters) had come, just how possible it all was now, and a reaffirmation of their "moral" obligation to bring about change in the nations capital. (Riveting stuff)
5. Surround yourself with Winners
This is classic politics - coalition building. But there are lessons here for leading a business.
While I am pretty fond of Chuck Norris - you would have to go a long way to get higher recommendations than Caroline Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, all the Hollywood A listers who are supporting him, or Oprah.
All recognized as talented and influential individuals (regardless of your political views) and recognized (for the most part) as talented and some of the worlds winners.
For business leadership it is the same. If you have good people around you they don't make you look bad, they make you look good. Period.
I have no clue who is going to win the Democratic nomination, and I have no clue who is going to take the ultimate prize in November. But I am pretty sure that I have learned a lot from watching Barack Obama campaign and his journey since the Democratic convention of 2004 when most people wished they could vote for him instead of Kerry.
When you look at the challenges facing the world. From environmental regulation and carbon footprints, through to competition increases, technological advances and managing a virtual world. There are many obstacles to building and running a successful consultancy today, many challenges that seem insurmountable. I Often wonder if we can do it, if we are up to the task at hand...
Yes we can...
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