Politics Teaches Leadership

The recent Democratic Presidential win displayed several vital leadership lessons; articulating a vision, maintain media relations and real teamwork. Leadership books repeatedly call for top leaders to craft and speak effectively about their inspirational vision for their organization. In 1992, the Clinton victory emphasized “it’s the economy” and the recent Obama win drove home the “change and hope” theme along with the “failings of the past”. These ideas were repeated again and again.

Obama built and maintained smooth relations with the media in outdoing Hilary Clinton and winning the election.

His team at the top were knowledgeable, stuck together, did not disagree with each other and did not leak stories – they acted as a team. In addition, they found creative ways to win by looking at the state caucuses’ while Hilary focused on big states.

Leaders can learn from successful political campaigns and see their similarity to their organizational roles as leaders.

Tags: clinton, executive leadership, obama, political campaigns, politics