Barack Obama was inaugurated as President of the United States amid much emotion hope and optimism by those who saw to it that he was elected to that lofty position.
If one studies his famous acceptance speech upon learning he would become President with the speech he made on Inauguration Day, the contrast is striking and relevant to all of us who lead change. His "Yes We Can" campaign stirred, inspired and seduced his people and for the record I believe he is authentic in his desire to bring about change in his country and greater peace to the world. However, it was only once he was truly in the chair he spoke of the critical need for people to pull together, to temper their enthusiasm with realism, to contemplate the enormity of the task before them all and remind them it would indeed take much time. Obama knew the importance of Expectations Management.
Some who are inclined to greater cynicism would say he trivialised the challenge until he had won the race. However he had to deploy one of the most fundamental of strategies in early 'therapy' for people whose esteem and efficacy was low - the transfer of optimism.
Once the leader has enunciated the vision and people are inspired to achieve it, they must be shown how.As we hear this week of some dissent, of abuse and accusations in Congress, Obama experiences that which all change leaders face; the need to display courage and stay the course; the need to risk unpopularity to do what is needed, not necessarily what is comfortable. The mark of a true leader is their willingness to do the hard stuff.
I am sure he knew that back then even if he didn't talk about it. But it is his reality now and he will rise above it by focussing on the bigger picture of what has to happen. It is perhaps a mark of the man that he has so many inspired and loyal disciples that they will tackle the dissenters on his behalf. This leaves him to focus on the critical deliverables for the benefit of the people who put their trust in him and indeed all of us who are looking at him to bring more peace to the world at large.
Obama's strenuous moves to tackle conflict in the Middle East and institute health reforms locally are examples of attempts to do the hard stuff. It is only fitting he is judged now on what he does, not what he promised and managing the expectations of his people will be key as the reality of the positions he takes begins to bite.
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Leanne Faraday-Brash MMgmt BA Hons(Melb) MAPsS,is an Organisational Psychologist, executive coach, speaker and facilitator with two decades of experience in organisational capability, culture,workplace justice, conflict resolution and leadership. Leanne is Principal of Brash Consulting and co-founder of the Workplace Justice Consortium. To find out how to achieve better persuasive outcomes with less effort,go to
http://www.brashconsulting.com.au
