Leadership the Barack Obama Way: Lessons on Teambuilding and Creating a Winning Culture in Challenging Times

by Leanne, Shelly; Leanne, Shel

• ISBN13: 9780071664028
• ISBN10: 0071664025
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-01-11
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Summary

Use the President's history-making leadership skills in any business setting!In his historic rise to the most powerful position in the world, Barack Obama single-handedly altered the concept of leadership around the world. Now, Shel Leannetheexpert on the Obama way of leadershipexplains how to thrive in any business setting by adopting the same skill set.Leadership the Barack Obama Wayexamines the ins and outs of the leadership style the President of the United States rode to heights of power nobody dreamed possible just a short time ago. Leanne breaks down Obama's style into easily digestible pieces that you can apply in any situation.You'll learn all the skills of extraordinary leadership, including how to: Communicate your vision in clear, persuasive language Create a "reservoir of goodwill" Form and lead outstanding teams Harness and leverage the power of technology Establish trust and confidence Build bridges among diverse peopleObama's adversaries passed him off as nothing more than a good speech-maker; they couldn't have been more wrong. The President is, indeed, an engaging speakerbut he is much more. His style of leadership is carefully planned and meticulously honed. Follow the Obama blueprint and lead your organization to the head of your industry.

Author Biography

Shel Leanneis president of Regent CrestCorporation, a leadership developmentfirm with Fortune 500 clients.She is the author of Say it LikeObama and How to Interview Likea Top MBA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. xv
Lay A Foundation For Outstanding Leadership
First, Win Trust and Confidence	p. 3
Recognize the Power of Early Impressions	p. 5
Create a Strong First Impression Through Image and Body Language	p. 9
Gather the Right Props Around You	p. 12
Form Outstanding Second Impressions Through Voice and Intonation	p. 14
Benefit from Third Impressions: Strong Starts, Ethics, and Preparedness	p. 18
Communicate Your Vision Effectively	p. 29
Steer Attention to Common Ground	p. 31
Recognize Others Must "See" to Believe: Words That Resonate	p. 45
Help People "See": Use Words That Paint a Picture	p. 54
Acknowledge the Terrain	p. 58
Demonstrate Your Logic	p. 60
Elicit a Nod: Skillful Persuasion	p. 63
Form A Winning Team
Leverage A Strong Reputation	p. 71
Understand the Importance of Teflon	p. 73
Convey Strong Ethics	p. 74
Be a Straight Shooter	p. 76
Offer an Open Ear, Wield a Fair Hand	p. 78
Be True to Your Word, Build a Consistent Record	p. 80
Give Loyalty Its Due Place	p. 82
Remain Humble	p. 83
Stay Above the Fray	p. 84
Display Strength	p. 86
Demonstrate Superior Preparedness	p. 87
Remain Cool Under Fire	p. 88
Make Friends In Unusual Places	p. 93
Employ a Power Analysis: The Pragmatic Side of Friends	p. 97
Go Where Friends Are	p. 99
Never Limit Yourself to Expected Allies	p. 101
Employ a Win-Win, "Both-And" Mindset	p. 104
Meet on Common Ground	p. 105
Speak in Understandable Ways	p. 111
Keep an Eye to the Future	p. 112
Show Respect for Your Potential Friends	p. 112
Recognize a Picture Says a Thousand Words	p. 115
Leverage Friends, Expand Your Network	p. 117
Hold No Grudges	p. 118
Build and Lead A Winning Team	p. 123
Pay Attention to Style and Team Culture	p. 125
Identify Key Priorities	p. 129
Determine the Ideal Skills Mix	p. 130
Staff for Excellence: Target the Best, Value Experience	p. 131
Promote Smoother Sailing with Culture and Values	p. 133
When All Else Is Equal, Send a Message	p. 135
Benefit from Mighty Brainstorming (Innovation and Your "Team of Rivals")	p. 137
Empower the Leads, Make Roles and Responsibilities Clear	p. 138
Move Beyond "High Performance" To "All Hands"	p. 141
Understand Key Elements of an All-Hands Culture	p. 143
Promote Culture Through Customs and Practices, Big and Small	p. 146
Provide Affirmation	p. 147
Match Skills and Interests, Make Differences a Strength	p. 148
Reward Excellence	p. 150
Train Well	p. 151
Keep the "Community Thing" Going	p. 155
Usher Abrasives Out	p. 156
Manage Expectations	p. 158
Rally the Troops	p. 161
Use Diversity As A Source Of Strength	p. 163
Recognize the Array of Diversity	p. 166
Embrace Diversity's Benefits-Expanded Networks and Innovation	p. 167
Capitalize Where Values, Talents, and Diversity Coincide	p. 169
DrawTalent from Fruitful Sources	p. 171
Invest in the Future: Remember Those Lower Echelons	p. 173
Build Bridges on Common Ground	p. 175
Enable The Team, Solidify A Winning Culture
Make Technology Your Friend	p. 179
What's in a Blackberry? Recognizing Technology's Game-Changing Potential	p. 181
Choose Partners Excellently	p. 185
Identify Target Group Habits	p. 187
Capitalize on Habits; Channels and Tools	p. 189
Employ Two-Way Technology	p. 190
Build Relationships Technology and "Customer Relations Management"	p. 191
Keep an Eye on the End Goal; Online-to-Offline	p. 193
Make Masterful Use of Specifics	p. 196
Enhance Internal Capabilities: Morale, Culture, and Management Processes	p. 197
Leverage Lessons in Future Work	p. 199
Motivate Your Target Groups, Organize To Succeed	p. 203
Recognize the Potential of the Next Generation and Other Target Groups	p. 207
Avoid the Twin Follies of Neglect	p. 210
Empower Highly Appealing Leaders, Place Leaders Well	p. 212
Pay Attention to Your Points of Contact	p. 214
Identify Special Interests	p. 214
Pinpoint Your Primary Tasks	p. 215
Amplify Efforts: Fruitful Channels, Key Networks	p. 218
Motivate with the Power of You	p. 219
Build Momentum with Low-Lying Fruit	p. 221
Invest in Training	p. 222
Create an Enabling Structure-Partner "Where They Are"	p. 224
Face and Overcome Controversies	p. 227
Nip Controversy in the Bud or Grab the Bull by Its Horns	p. 228
Know Your Goals	p. 230
Exude Humility	p. 232
Choose Props Appropriately	p. 234
Recast the Dialogue	p. 234
Know When to Say, "I Screwed Up"	p. 236
Extend a Hand to Detractors	p. 238
Know When to Offer a Beer	p. 239
Stand Strong and Deliver Tough Messages	p. 244
Shower Detractors with Kindness	p. 247
Conclusion	p. 251
Notes	p. 255
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