Obama and the end of Power?
by Marc Rogatschnig on 05/11/08 at 3:28 pm
4 comments
The 5th of November 2008 will be remembered for opening a remarkable chapter in world history.
This has been a significant week for the world and in particular for all black people.
First a young and talented racing driver, Lewis Hamilton clinches the F1 world title and then, an African American steps into the White House in a dramatic and sweeping victory that has reinvigorated a sleeping democracy. These are historical times.
These occasions also herald exciting reflections on leadership and the manner in which truly great leaders manage their behaviours and relationships. Barack Obama and Lewis Hamilton have both been the targets of vicious discrimination and racism (in both cases the past 10 days have revealed death threats and assassination plans), yet their unwavering focus on their primary goals has been unflinching and in no way reactive or defensive.
Barack Obama has inspired a nation of people to become engaged and he has done it not by forcing power politics onto the nation but by building trusting and real relationships with as many people as he possibly could and can.
‘Change’ is his mantra and while critics were attacking him as a person, Obama was still building relationships and sharing high quality information that was consistent, truthful and in touch.
The politics of power may be disappearing right before our eyes.
Obama has secured the most financial support ever in a US presidential campaign and has mobilized over 2 million facebook members to his profile. He has leveraged social media and relied almost entirely on the networks of supporters across the country to mobilize the population. He couldn’t have done that by giving each small support base a daily pep talk; he could only have done that by engaging high energy followship through trusting relationships!
If there were ever a more dramatic example of how high energy leadership inspires high energy effectiveness – then this is it!
May we live in interesting times!
Marc Rogatschnig follows the Arnold Schwarzenegger rule of branding: "If you can spell my name right, I must be doing my job right". Marc is a business consultant, surfer, Africa traveler, energy ambassador, dreamer and a big fan of common courtesy. Marc also happens to be a Clinical Psychologist, so watch your comments or he’ll publicly expose you for being a bed wetter at age 12. View more articles by Marc Rogatschnig.
Fred
Nov 6th, 2008
Fantastic article Marc. One thing that strikes me about Obama is his brilliant ability in personal branding. He has been consistent and pervasive, his ‘brand positioning’ has been spot on in differentiating himself from the opposition, and his provision of solutions within his message has been outstanding.
Now, the big question is (this is where many marketing and branding campaigns fall flat) is his ability to deliver on the very big promises contained within the message he’s conveyed.
Marc Rogatschnig
Nov 6th, 2008
Thanks Fred. Delivery is his next ’steep’challenge, but his style of leadership has created a more realistic sense of what is possible. He has engendered a meaningful reflection within people and that, i believe, has created more realistic expectations and support from the general world population. Do you get that sense too?
Fred
Nov 6th, 2008
Yes I do!
I really dig the guy, and I’m well stoked he won – especially since I use his stuff in marketing presentations
Where it’s going to get really challenging is the sheer magnitude of the challenge. He’s inheriting 2 major international wars, global negativity towards his country, the worst recession in 80 years and something like a 700 billion dollar deficit (accuracy on that last factoid is sketchy).
Voices without Votes » Social Media and The Making of the President
Sep 16th, 2009
[...] Marc Rogatschnig writes in the South African site Ideate covering small business issues that “the politics of power may be disappearing right before our eyes.” Obama has secured the most financial support ever in a US presidential campaign and has mobilized over 2 million facebook members to his profile. He has leveraged social media and relied almost entirely on the networks of supporters across the country to mobilize the population. He couldn’t have done that by giving each small support base a daily pep talk; he could only have done that by engaging high energy followship through trusting relationships! [...]