Barack Obama

Barack Obama, made business relationship when he became the number wiz African-American professorship of the most powerful country in the world at the new born(p) age of 47. He overcame powerful aspiration from extremely popular semipolitical heavyweights of the likes of Hillary Clinton and John McCain and enumerable obstacles to win convincingly. A brief background Obama was born as Barack Hussein Obama on Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. , a Kenyan and Ann Dunham, a native of scratch. They were both students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.However, by the time he became two years old, they had separated and posterior divorced. His mother got married to a fellow student, Lolo Soetoro. As Seatoro was from Indonesia, the family shifted to Jakarta later. afterwards four years of instructing in Indonesian schools, Obama returned to live with his agnatic grand p bents in Hawaii and joined Punahou Academy from which he gradatory with honors in 1979 . His first experience with racism happened in this period beca lend oneself he was one of just three African American students. Obama completed his pointedness in political science from Columbia University in New York, 1983.After gaining a few years of croak experience he moved to Chicago in 1985 where he worked as a community organizer. (A&E boob tube Networks, 2008, p. 1) Opting for a career in rectitude, he joined Harvard natural law schooling in 1988. There he created history by becoming the first African American to be elected as the editor of Harvard Law Review. With the law degree in hand, Obama returned to Chicago and worked in a law firm while t sever bothying at the Chicago Law school simultaneously. Meanwhile in 1992, Obama married Michelle Robinson, also a law graduate. 1992 was an chief(prenominal) year in Obamas career as a politico also.He was an active member in Bill Clintons presidential tend organizing a hugely triple-crown voter registration drive. He wrot e an autobiographical book called Dreams From My Father A Story of Race and Inheritance in 1995. (p. 2) Obama was instrumental in drafting several legislation in ethics, income-tax assign for the poor, health care, education and law enforcement in this period. In 1996, pack of Hyde commonality elected Obama into the Illinois State Senate. He was also elected the chairman of the earth Health and Welfare Committee. Post 9/11, Obama was noned as one of the first prominent opponent of President George W.Bushs strategy to go to war with Iraq. He warned about the costs involved in such(prenominal) a war in terms of lives, hardships and impact on economy. His predictions came aline as it turned out to be a in truth untidy affair in the end. In 2004, Obama got in the fray for the U. S. Senate seat held by Sen. Peter Fitzgerald. Voters soon took a liking to Obama and he was able to beating the multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull and Illinois Comptroller Daniel Hynes. Obama entere d the national politics when he gave a stunning performance as the keynote speaker at the 2004 republican National Convention in Boston.In the general election, Obama defeated the republican prospect Alan Keyes, who was also an African-American, in a record landslide victory in Illinois. Obama was very active as a senator with several successful campaigns on wide variety of matters such as transparency on federal spending, elimination of weapons of mass destructions in Europe and Russia, threat of avian flu, replenishment of Hurrican Katrina victims, alternative energy initiatives and so on. (p. 3) Obama published his second book, The Audacity of accept Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream in 2006.In February 2007, he decided to beat for American Presidency and became the democratic campaigner against a toilsome competition from the former first lady Hillary Clinton. After running a very systematic and well- organized campaign lasting more than 2 years, Obama became for ty-fourth president of the United States by beating republican presidential nominee John McCain. Obama is blessed with two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Obstacles Obama had to face in his run upto the brass 1) His African American origin- The biggest obstacle in his path to presidency was that great deal of his origin has al tracks found it difficult to get ahead in national politics.Obama was only the fifth African American Senator in U. S. history and just the third to have been popularly elected. 2) His ostensibly apparent neediness of experience as a leader or executive The opponents and the media say that Obama was not experienced enough to lead the country. still he was successful in establishing that his years of experience as community organizer is as valuable as any other leaders stint. 3) Tough competitor When Obama announced his campaign in February 2007, it seemed that Sen.Hillary Clinton was the favorite for the Democratic nomination and was touted as the most anticipated presidential candidate in a generation. But in a systematic manner Obama went about his campaign and stones throw by step his charisma took his popularity ahead and in front of the competition. 4) white Voters, the overwhelming influence on the outcome of the US presidential elections, were not expected to support Obama as several studies and history suggested. 5) Even among the African American community, Obama had trouble with his perceived strongest base.It was only after his victory in Iowa that the black sentiment turned in his favour. There was also Obamas perceived lack a shared background with the minority race that suffered centuries of social abuse. 6) Obama also had to carefully conduct the allegation on his backgrounds, departed life, friends or any glitch on his biography that the opposition could use against him. (Sheng, 2008) 8. Exit polls reported from several areas pointed to the fact that one in five white voters would prefer to vote for a white ca ndidate, which meant that Obamas opponent would get these votes no matter what other considerations were.9. Obama also had to handle the seemingly ludicrous but highly influencing allegations on his muslim background. A Pew Research Center survey found that 13 percentage of registered voters stated that Sen. Obama was a Muslim, which was proof that ignorance of voters could be a big factor in that Obama had to deal with. 10. Obama also had to deal with a concerted effort to keystone Obama as an outsider that did not belong in the US system of things. His mixed family background and alleged muslim connections added to these campaigns. (Bryjak, 2008) Obamas Leadership QualitiesBarack Obamas leadership qualities that leaves the people around him to emulate are the qualities that every cost-efficient leader should posses. Intelligence, salutary Communition Skills, a wide range of experience, a multicultural background, and an affinity for change. Intelligence -. Obama has shown tr emendous intelligence difficulties to find logical solutions to tough problems. His views and thoughts of multiple ways to improve the American life shows his application of intelligence. Good communication skills Obama has been successful in expressing his feelings in their entirety to his audience.His speeches are highly affective and he takes the crowd in his hands. He also utilise the emerging media such as social networking sites on the internet to raise and communicate messages. Experience 7 years of work in Illinois Senate and his work as a community organizer gives Obama the professional experience to advertise through the problems. And his multicultural faceted and varied experience on a personal level gives him the edge over others. Change Obama has already taken several key decisions with far reaching consequences to affect the change that he has promised so much and so far.( Fu, 2008) As Madore in his article puts it Obamas ideas are fresh with relevant informatio n. He supplies us competent Organization, with well-executed plans. His say Choice is measured, precise and powerful. His Voice is honest, inspiring, and credible. His Fluency rings rhythmic and fine-tuned. And finally, his Conventions are clean and polished, showing evidence of following the rules (Madore, 2008) A study conducted by NextNationalCEO. com. reports that Insightful judgment, vision and trustworthiness top the list of important leadership characteristics for the U. S. presidential candidates.The following leadership traits were given for ranking to the visitors to NextNationalCEO. com with respect to each of presidential candidates, it was found that Obama was placed ahead of the other candidates almost all of these characteristics. They are, 1 Insightful Judgment 2 Visionary 3 current 4 Gets Things Done 5 Inspires Others 6 Good Judge of People 7 Influences Others 8 Courageous 9 Confident 10 wide awake (Reutors, 2008) Barack Obamas leadership characteristi cs could be summed up as follows,Obama is ambitious, strong, bold and unconquerable to achieve his goals. He uses the resources available to him and innovates new ways to do things. For example, the way he used the social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace to raise funds and to fabricate a strong influence among the youth. Obama promises a fresh look at everything without pre-conceived notions. His consensus building approach is likely to win friends off enemies. Obama believes in leading by example which was showcased when his stand that high salary levels need to be checked and revised was immediately put into action among the white domicile staff.Obama has shown tremendous judgment and conviction to take action when he took seemingly complex and controversial decisions such as the closure of Guantanamo prison, withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, getting Congress to pass an $800 billion-plus stimulus package to play the economy etc. No matter wha t the occasion, Obama has shown tremendous ability to persist in calm and collected. He hardly looses his cool and is not afraid to take his mistakes. ( Khan, 2009) References Khan, S. (2009, February 15). Obama Leadership 8 Ways to Lead in the 21st Century.Retrieved may 8, 2009, from http//ezinearticles. com/? Obama-Leadership8-Ways-to-Lead-in-the-21st-Century&id=1997850 Reuters, (2008,Apr 9). Which Leadership Traits are Most Important to Public in presidential Candidates? , Retrieved may 8, 2009, from http//www. reuters. com/article/pressRelease/idUS133960+09-Apr-2008+PRN20080409 Madore, R. (2008, Mar 7). Six winning traits of Barack Obamas leadership path , Retrieved May 8, 2009, http//my. barackobama. com/page/community/post/rolandmadore/gGB3Gs Fu, Bow ( 2008, Mar 22) Barack Obama and Leadership, Retrieved May 8, 2009, http// watchwordflavor.com/opinions/barack-obama-and-leadership/ Bryjak, J. G. ( 2008, Oct 19), Obamas obstacles, Retrieved May 8, 2009, http//www. copleyne ws. com/uniontrib/20081019/news_lz1e19bryjak. html Sheng, R. ( 2008, Nov 5), Obama overcomes obstacles to become first black president, Retrieved May 8, 2009, http//www. dailytargum. com/news/obama-overcomes-obstacles-to-become-first-black-president-1. 895980 A&E Television Networks, ( 2008) Barack Obama, ( pp 1-3) Retrieved May 8, 2009 http//www. biography. com/featured-biography/barack-obama/bio3. jsp