You may think I’m a fanboy, but hear me out. Barack Obama was more than the first black President of the United States. He was also one of the most successful and influential leaders of our time. He faced some of the most challenging and turbulent times in recent history and came out on top.
When Obama took office in 2009, the country was facing the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. He provided stimulus packages that created or saved millions of jobs and invested in education, health care, infrastructure and clean energy and provided tax relief for 95% of working families. The US auto industry received a bailout that saved more than a million jobs, and he reformed Wall Street with legislation to prevent another economic crisis and also to protect consumers.
But, Obama made health care reform his top priority. He fought against fierce opposition from Republicans, insurance companies and special interests by reforming health care and expanding coverage to millions of Americans with Obamacare. Before Obamacare, more than 40 million Americans had no health insurance.
Thanks to his policies, the American economy recovered faster and stronger than expected. The unemployment rate fell from 10% in 2009 to 4.7% in 2016. The stock market reached record highs. The auto industry had its best year ever in 2015. The poverty rate dropped to its lowest level since 2008. The income gap between rich and poor narrowed for the first time in decades.
Obama as President had improved the lives of millions of Americans and people around the world with his domestic and foreign policy achievements. Furthermore, he also inspired a generation of young people with his message of hope and change.
But how was Obama able to achieve so much while in office? And what can aspiring politicians learn from him as both a leader and as a person? Here are some of the qualities and skills that Obama showed throughout his career and presidency that could help any aspiring politician.
1. Vision.
Obama had a clear and compelling vision of what he wanted to accomplish as a leader. He knew his goals and how to achieve them. He shared his vision with his followers, allies and adversaries in a persuasive and inspiring way. Furthermore, he made them see why his vision was important and how they could be part of it.
As a publicist, I know how important it is to have a clear and consistent message that resonates with your target audience. Obama was a master at crafting and delivering his message in a way that connected with people from different backgrounds, cultures and ideologies. He knew how to use words, images and symbols to create a powerful narrative that inspired action and loyalty.
Ensure that you have a coherent and consistent agenda that reflects your values and principles. Seek professional guidance so that you can communicate your vision effectively to different audiences and stakeholders.
2. Charisma.
Obama had a charismatic personality that attracted and influenced people. He had a natural charm and charisma that made him likeable and relatable. He had a warm and friendly demeanour that made him approachable and trustworthy. Obama had a sense of humour and wit that made him entertaining and engaging. He also had a confident and assertive presence that made him authoritative and credible.
I know how important it is to have a charismatic personality that attracts and influences people. Obama was a star who had the X-factor that made him stand out from the crowd. He knew how to use his charisma to charm, persuade and motivate people to support him and his causes. He also knew how to balance his charisma with humility and authenticity to avoid appearing arrogant or aloof.
Develop your own personal style and brand that showcases your strengths and uniqueness. Try to always connect with people on an emotional level and make them feel valued and respected.
3. Intelligence.
Obama had a high level of intelligence that enabled him to master complex issues and challenges. He had a broad and deep knowledge of various topics, ranging from history to economics to science. He had a sharp and analytical mind that enabled him to process information quickly and critically. Not only that, but he had a curious and open mind that enabled him to learn from different sources and perspectives. He also had a creative and innovative mind that enabled him to come up with new ideas and solutions.
Having a natural level of intelligence that enables you to master complex issues and challenges isn’t easy to fake. Obama was a genius who had a vast and diverse knowledge base that made him an expert on many topics. He knew how to use his intelligence to analyse problems and devise solutions that were effective and feasible. He also knew how to use his intelligence to innovate and create new opportunities and possibilities.
Aspiring politicians should always try to expand their horizons and educate themselves on various subjects that affect their constituents and the world. And learn or seek out experts who can help you to apply logic, evidence and reason to support your arguments and policies.
4. Integrity.
Obama had a high level of integrity that earned him respect and trust. He had a strong moral compass that guided his actions and choices. He clearly understood right and wrong, which reflected his values and principles. Likewise, he had an honest and transparent approach that made him accountable and reliable. He had a loyal and respectful attitude that made him faithful and honourable.
It’s very important to have a high level of integrity that earns you respect and trust. Obama was a man of integrity who had a solid reputation for being ethical and principled. He knew how to use his integrity to build trust and credibility with his followers, allies and adversaries. He also knew how to use his integrity to maintain his dignity and honour in the face of challenges and criticisms.
Develop a strong moral compass that guides all your actions and choices. Be honest and transparent with every constituent and colleague. Politics is perceived as a dirty game, but choose to be loyal and respectful to your allies and partners.
These are some of the qualities and skills that made Barack Obama a great leader and a great person. Aspiring politicians could learn a lot from him if they want to make a difference in their country and the world. Obama was not perfect, but he was exceptional. He was not flawless, but he was admirable. He was not invincible, but he was courageous.
But let’s be honest. Not everyone is born with the ability and intelligence of Barack Obama. Not everyone has a natural charm and charisma of Barack Obama. And not everyone has the strong moral compass and integrity of Barack Obama.
That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with a team of people who will bring out the best in you. People who will support you, challenge you, advise you and inspire you. People who will share your vision, values and principles. People who will complement your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.
As a publicist, I know how important it is to have a team of people who will help you achieve your goals and enhance your image. Obama had a team of people who helped him run his campaigns, his administration and his foundation. He had a team of people who helped him write his speeches, his books and his policies. He had a team of people who helped him deal with the media, the public and the world.
Build a team of people who will help you succeed as a leader, and then delegate, empower and appreciate every single person in your team. So there you have it. Some of the qualities and skills that made Barack Obama a great leader and a great person, together with some tips and tricks that aspiring politicians could learn from him to become better leaders and better people.
He was Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, and he will be remembered as one of the most successful and influential leaders in world history.
