Barack Obama: A Different Leadership Style

President-elect Obama was a Community Organizer

This may sound simple, but have you ever heard a United States president talk like Barack Obama or approach decisions like Barack Obama?

Barack Obama is truly an original, as we will learn, and this is because he was a community organizer.

President-elect Obama has put a broad sketch on the table for a $775 billion economic recovery investment. Probably 80 percent of Democrats and Republicans alike agree that this sort of jolt is needed for the economy. However, each individual has their own thoughts on how much money it will take, and how the money should be doled.

Barack Obama was on television today, and not to be pedestrian, but he was so cool, so much a community organizer. Instead of declaring that he will fight tooth and nail for his specifics, like a typical politician, Obama threw the doors wide open. Instead of being defensive, like a typical politican, Obama literally begged for ideas. Like a community organizer.

"If you can show me something that is going to work better than I have proposed, I welcome it," Obama said.

That is so cool!

"This is not an intellecutal exercise and there is no pride of authorship," Obama said.

That is so cool!

"One of things I'm trying to communicate in this process to get past whose idea is it, what ideological corner it comes from," Obama said. "If it will work, show me."

Past presidents have not spoken in this manner.

We do not yet fully realize the significance of Barack Obama's past youthful role as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side. We imagine Barack Obama as a young radical, giving speeches on the behalf of the community. However, our next president went through an experience that is much deeper. He did not give speeches for the South Side residents. He organized residents to give their own speeches. This is why we use the term "community organizer" instead of "community activist" or "community leader."

If Barack Obama were coaching a sports team, he would not be a "my way or the highway" type of coach. Instead, he would ask the players for their ideas, otherwise known as a "players' coach."