President Barack Obama's Leadership Style- Thriving in the Midst of Controversy

Whether or not you like his politics, there is something to be said about President Barack Obama's ability to thrive in the midst of controversy. Whether or not you like where he's taking the country, there is something about a presidential leadership style that takes hit after hit, but keeps going in the face of massive opposition. Of course, it was President Bush's stubborn reluctance to change his courses of action which brought about the downfall of the Republican Party. Still, there is something admirable about a leader who will roll with the punches and still keep going. What attributes does it take to cultivate a leadership style that thrives in the midst of controversy?

In order to thrive under pressure, President Barack Obama had to begin with preparation and planning. He had to cultivate a leadership style that propelled him to do his homework on each important issue facing the American people today. If he does not know the full breadth of issue, then he has to call in experts from all sides of the issue to get the clearest understanding of all aspects involved in the issue. When a leader prepares thoroughly, then he or she is able to make a plan and will be confident that the plan is the right course of action to meet the challenge.

Passion is another characteristic of a presidential leadership style that thrives in the midst of controversy. After a leader like President Barack Obama walks through the preparation and planning process and has a grasp of what needs to be done in a given matter, then he is better able to be passionate about pushing through the plan. If a plan is ill-conceived then the leader will be less confident. A leadership style that lacks confidence becomes wishy-washy and unfocused. But when a leader is confident then he will be passionate and that passion will carry him through the tough times. Passion is a characteristic of an effective leadership style that thrives in midst of controversy.

Patience is a third characteristic of a leadership style that carries a leader along in the midst of controversy. A leader like President Barack Obama knows that Rome wasn't built in a day nor can one change a ship's course at a moment's notice. Orchestrating change is a long drawn out process that takes patience. Effective leaders understand this principle and wait for the right time to push their initiatives forward. Patience is a positive characteristic of an effective leadership style that thrives in the midst of strife.

Perseverance is another characteristic of a leadership style that thrives in the midst of controversy. A leader like President Barack Obama is not afraid to wade through the muck and the mire to push through what he thinks is right. As someone has said, "nothing worthwhile comes easy." It has also been said that the most successful people are those who failed the most because they never stopped trying. Perseverance is a characteristic of a leadership style that thrives in the midst of controversy.

Finally, a leadership style that thrives in the midst of controversy is one that is not afraid to pound the pavement to communicate the vision and draw support. A leader like President Barack Obama knows that people are the source of his success. In order to push through his agenda, he must get out and meet the people and rub shoulders with them. He is also not afraid to listen to the ideas of others even if he does not agree with them and vice versa. Pounding the pavement is another characteristic of effective leadership style that thrives in the midst of controversy.