BARACK OBAMA’S SUCCESS STORY…

Presented By:-

Udit Khandelwal

BARACK OBAMA: THE INDIVIDUAL

Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961 at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Barack Obama Sr. was a Black Immigrant from Kenya and Ann Dunham was a White American from Wichita, Kansas.

His Father had a tremendous effect on his astute cultural awareness.

BARACK OBAMA: THE INDIVIDUAL Lived mostly in birth place – Honolulu and for

some time in Indonesia. Had severe relations with his father. Obama completed his graduation from

Columbia University, New York. After graduation he also attended Harward

Law School. Popular as “Skinny kid” with a funny name.

BARACK OBAMA: THE SUCCESFUL LEADER His political carrier started after he finished

graduation from Columbia university in New York. He worked as a community organizer in Chicago.

Later the senator joined Harvard School of Law where he was chosen by famous attorney Laurence Tribe to Tribe’s research assistant.

Tribe observed his personality traits and said of Obama, “ I’ve known senators, presidents. I’ve never known anyone with what seems to more raw political talent. He just seems to surest way of calmly reaching success.”

BARACK OBAMA: THE SUCCESFUL LEADER

Obama was the first African American who was elected as the president of the Harward Law Review in 1990.

He laddered to the success by winning Illinois state senate in 1996 and senate election in 2004 against prominent African American Republican Alan Keys.

Obama has knack for rousing people’s attention. He proved this when he delivered speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. On 27th July he took the podium and began speaking about his idea of country without racism and fear.

BARACK OBAMA: POLITICAL OVERVIEW

Obama’s fame continuing to grow. “ This young man has set Illinois on fire and set America on fire. He’s the future of the Democratic party.” said Gwen Moore (Congresswoman).

Former Virginia governor L. Douglas said “Obama could be president. There’s nothing to stop him.”

Political Analyst and the media have compared state senator to historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Bill Clinton.

QUESTION 1:

What traits might Barack Obama

posses that contribute to his strong

leadership ability? Does Obama’s case

support a trait perpective of

leadership? Why or why not?

SOLUTION

Leaders are distinguished from non-leaders by their:-

Personality traits: a. Ambition b. Desire to lead c. Honesty d. Self-Confidence e. Dedication Intellectual traits: a. Sound knowledge in his own field of

work. b. Skill and Expertise c. Ability to self monitor about oneself.

SOLUTION (CONTD…)

Physical and Social traits:a.) Stamina and energy to do his own

workb.) Patience to listen to all views beforeexpressing one’s own.

But the main disadvantage :- a.) This is based on the appearance of

the leadership but not on the actual way of working of the individual.b.) The traits of leadership vary from situation to situation

SOLUTION (CONTD…)

The most basic needs for successful leadership :

1. Trust 2. Integrity.

Barack Obama was a charismatic leader, who knew what to speak and when is the right time (owing to his acquaintance in law).

He had a great vision (as had been seen in the campaigns.)

He set high performance expectations . He conveyed a new set of values. Thus Obama was a transformational leader.

QUESTION 2:

From behavioral perspective of

leadership, what does Obama do to

strengthen his success as a leader?

SOLUTION

Attention Grabber. Knows how to make the best use of any

oportunity given.eg : speech he spoke about his idea of a

country where there is no racism and fear. A country not lead by politicians born in wealth, and then he spoke of his own background, which exemplifies diversity in many ways.

Persistent eg: Did not loose hope after he lost the elections for the US congress and then won in the senate elections by a large margin.

SOLUTION (CONTD…)

He is self aware and most importantly has

the ability to tie his own experiences into a

political speech in which he portrays himself

as an ordinary citizen, speaking for the

general public.

As a manager it might not effect whether you

portray yourself as a common man or not but

as a leader it is very important to relate to

the common man.

SOLUTION (CONTD…)

According to the Ohio State Studies on Behavioral theories, basically there are two dimentions: Initiating Structure

It includes the behavior that attempts to organize work,work relationships and goals.

ConsiderationA leader high in consideration could be described as one who helps employees , is friendly, approachable and treats all employees as equal.

QUESTION 3:

Is Barack Obama’s popularity and

success a result of “nature”, “nurture”

or both? What factors can you think of

to support your answer?

SOLUTION

Behavioral theories of leadership

propose that specific behaviors

differentiate leaders from non-leaders.

Trait theory:

Leaders are born, not made.

Behavioral theory:

Leadership traits can be taught.

SOLUTION (CONTD…)

To differentiate Obama from many other

political figures it is said many analysts that

he “just has that something.”

The circumstances and family background

that he faced right from the beginning from

his life.

Thus the role of nurture was quite essential

in the development of Obama’s Leadership

qualities.

SOLUTION (CONTD…)

But as the trait theory depicts that leaders are

born, not made is also quite correct.

The hard circumstances are faced by many

people in the world but very few of them have

that mettle to over come that and prove

themselves.

So quite clearly we can conclude that Obama’s

qualities and success was result of the

“nature” and the “nurture” both.

ANY QUERIES

??

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE