Friday, February 13, 2009

Rookie Leader Back on the Campaign Trail


Something often happens with new leaders when things get difficult. Instead of stepping up to their new roles, they fall back to what they were good at in their old jobs. It’s happening with President Obama already. His promised bipartisanship is more partisan than ever, his transparency is opaque, he is stumbling with cabinet appointments, his banking recovery caused another market drop, and on and on. Seasoned leaders use these kinds of challenges as opportunities to lead. Rookie leaders try to recreate their old successes. For Obama this means heading back on the campaign trail. Meet with crowds of like-minded people where talk is favored over action. President Obama has never had a significant leadership job and he has a lot to learn. But he’s no longer Obama the Candidate; he’s Obama the President. It’s time to leave the campaigning behind and focus on his new job.

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