Communication and Vision

Leadership is such a tricky undertaking. While we all have our own ideas as to what characteristics a successful or so-called good leader should possess, there is one element not nearly as associated with leadership as I think should be: service. Specifically, one's ability to serve others. Sure, it is important for a leader to have vision and a good sense of how to move toward it. But at the same time it is vital to be able to instill in others a willingness to travel down that path. After all, if a leader cannot convince his or her followers that their vision is in the best interests of those they are trying to lead, then those followers will quickly look elsewhere for someone to lead them to where they wish to go. It brings to mind the old saying, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink."

Presently, President Obama's leadership skills are being tested as it pertains to health care for the nation. This is his vision. But will meeting it be in the best interest of his followers? Do enough people recognize this particular vision as a way they wish to be served? Presently, the jury seems to be out on this. According to various national polls, when Obama's formally introduced this vision, the great majority of citizens said they comfortably supported it. But now as the health care debate evolves, national polls indicate a shift in what many of these same citizens say they want regarding health care. As I read the polls, many still say they want it, only now they are expressing legitimate concerns as to its costs and how it will be administered. This is the hard part of having a vision. Any one can have a vision, but only when it is challenged is when its validity and applicability are truly tested. It is also a significant test of the visionary's communication skills.

One of the things all of us are now discovering about President Obama's in the first year of his presidency is just how good of a communicator he really is. The health care debate is a giant indicator. Not only is the president being called to describe and reiterate this vision, he also has the additional hurdles of overcoming tons of fear mongering and misinformation along with addressing sincere concerns about the mechanics of national health care. At the same time, there are also other major challenges on his plate, including our two wars, struggling economy, relations with other countries and vulnerable environment. At this point, my money remains on The President. But if he is to succeed, then he is going to need to take his communication skills to a higher level as well as begin making greater use of the many tools of those who continue to share his vision. The ultimate success of his communication efforts in health care and other issues of importance will be the ultimate determiners of his effectiveness as a leader.