Verified Document

Leadership In The 21st Century: Essay

He projects a persona of trustworthiness, likability and brilliance that even his harshest critics admire. But a multiplicity of goals does not always make for a sense of coherent mission, and this sense of mission is required to sustain as well as initiate major changes. One of Obama's most-admired historical figures was Abraham Lincoln and: "Lincoln united his followers with a 'corporate mission' of preserving the Union and abolishing slavery, and this objective became more firm and resolute with the onslaught of the Civil War" (Lewis 2009). Of course, Lincoln had the advantage of having a single crisis to deal with -- Obama has many, spanning from healthcare, to the environment, to the financial crisis, to two wars. Creating a coherent philosophy to unite his ambitious, compassionate social objectives and the need for strong action on terror is no easy feat. As a leader, Obama's greatest strength is his ability to influence the American public with his words, and the integrity he embodies within his own story and persona. "His strength over the past 12 months has been his non-anxious presence…the calm, reasoned, informed and respectful way that President Obama approaches the myriad of problems facing the nation is impressive. It is not normative leadership behavior to a citizenry that wants immediate results and has so little faith in the government's ability to look out for its best interests" (Scott 2010). Obama may be a new kind of leader, but because this style has not characterized American government in the past, he is still trying to shape how this new presidential style will take form. He is still feeling his way in terms of how to prioritize and mobilize others to enact his vision, as well as to use his own charisma and character to inspire others.

References

Finn, Christine...

Parts of this document are hidden

View Full Document
svg-one

(2008, November 23). Long-range love of Obama's absent mother. The Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5213328.ece
Lebovitch, Marge. (2010, February 29). Missing element in Obama's ties with GOP leaders.

Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/us/politics/25chemistry.html?scp=1&sq=Obama%20personality&st=cse

Lander, Mark. (2010, June 24). Short, tense deliberation, then a general is gone.

The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/politics/24decide.html?scp=2&sq=Obama%20presidency&st=cse

Lewis, Matt. (2009, July 22). Obama's leadership. Politics Daily. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/22/obamas-style-defies-leadership-experts-maxims/

Maxwell, John C. (2002). Leadership 101. Thomas Nelson.

Sanger, David. (2010). In a week of tests Obama asserts his authority. The New York Times.

Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/us/politics/26assess.html?scp=9&sq=Obama%20presidency&st=cse

Scott, Katherine Tyler. (2010, January). Delivering us from anxiety. The Washington Post.

Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/panelists/2010/01/delivering-us-from-anxiety.html

Sullivan, Andrew. (2010). Wins on health. The Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7069622.ece

Willis, Gary. (2010, April 11). Behind Barack Obama's cool. The New York Times.

Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/books/review/Wills-t.html?_r=1&ref=david_remnick

Sources used in this document:
References

Finn, Christine & Sarah Baxter. (2008, November 23). Long-range love of Obama's absent mother. The Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5213328.ece

Lebovitch, Marge. (2010, February 29). Missing element in Obama's ties with GOP leaders.

Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/us/politics/25chemistry.html?scp=1&sq=Obama%20personality&st=cse

Lander, Mark. (2010, June 24). Short, tense deliberation, then a general is gone.
The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/politics/24decide.html?scp=2&sq=Obama%20presidency&st=cse
Lewis, Matt. (2009, July 22). Obama's leadership. Politics Daily. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/22/obamas-style-defies-leadership-experts-maxims/
Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/us/politics/26assess.html?scp=9&sq=Obama%20presidency&st=cse
Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/panelists/2010/01/delivering-us-from-anxiety.html
Sullivan, Andrew. (2010). Wins on health. The Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7069622.ece
Retrieved July 11, 2010 at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/books/review/Wills-t.html?_r=1&ref=david_remnick
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Hispanic Women Leadership for the
Words: 6065 Length: 15 Document Type: Term Paper

Leticia Herrera, president of ECI, which is a full service maintenance company based in Chicago states that the setbacks often take places as women stereotype themselves. Women should no longer be seen as 'special entities of businesses'. They are simple and plain entrepreneurs. but, many times Hispanic women are typecast into thinking that because of their gender they can not contend, give quality services, or become victorious business owners.

Women in Leadership: The Characteristics
Words: 8204 Length: 20 Document Type: Research Paper

In the first instance, the research undertaken on this topic has attempted to be as inclusive as possible. To this end databases such as Ebscohost and Quesia were consulted for up-to-date sources and data. However the research was also limited to the ideas and objectives suggested in chapter one. The following review is indicative of the some of the most important studies within the parameter of the central questions

Women in Leadership the Struggle
Words: 1864 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Proposal

While this paper may be just a scratch on the surface of what can prove to be a rich and engaging area of new research on women in leadership, it reveals that either way women still has the choice on which path to take. Neither path is easy though the struggle may be in different arenas. And while advocates for the further progress of women to reach top leadership positions

Women Leadership and Policy in the Energy Sector
Words: 5993 Length: 20 Document Type: Case Study

Solving South Africa's Energy Resource Crisis Introduction The subject of this case study is the role of women in power in South Africa’s energy sector. This case study will answer the question of whether or not South Africa’s first female appointed Minsiter of Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, is responsible for the ejection of the foreign national powers which previously controlled South Africa’s energy sector. There is a considerable amount of evidence

Leadership Within the Context of a Globalized Environment
Words: 3487 Length: 11 Document Type: Essay

Organizational Leadership and Performance The environment in which leaders of today operate is increasingly global. It is important to note, from the onset, that today's globalized environment significantly differs from the environment business operated in a couple of decades ago. In addition to being fast-paced, today's business environment is also more competitive and complex. The demands of the current era have meant that leaders of today must embrace new leadership approaches

Leadership Portfolio Political Tactics Are Essential for
Words: 904 Length: 3 Document Type: Research Paper

Leadership Portfolio Political tactics are essential for quality leadership. It is important to be tactful in all situations, and to understand the confounding variables that can impact communication clarity. Politics refers to skillful communications and strategic decision-making. Compromises are critical to good politics. For example, we were working with a large team of over 25 people. Each person had a clearly defined role, but there came a time when egos started

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now