For those who are still undecided and for those who insist on supporting and voting for John McCain:
In the business world, developing a competency model for the selection of a CEO is a best practice and standard operating procedure for many successful companies. If
we use a behavioral template as criteria for selecting a president, how would our presidential candidates compare? Read the characteristics below carefully and rate each of the candidates objectively. Though obviously open for discussion, I have rated the winner in each competency based on my observations of each in action. The Presidential Leadership Competencies are listed below:
VISIONING (- Advantage Obama)
Takes a long-term view and acts as a catalyst for change; builds a shared vision with others; influences others to translates vision into action; creates a compelling and inspirational picture of the future.
ACTS WITH INTEGRITY (- Advantage Obama)
Fosters high standards for ethical behavior; behaves in a fair and ethical manner towards others; demonstrates high political and professional standards; handles situations with integrity; viewed as highly trustworthy; stands up for what is right despite potential personal consequences; demonstrates consistency between words and
actions; honors commitments to others.
ACCOUNTABILITY(- Advantage Obama)
Holds self and others accountable for laws, policies, rules and responsibilities; can be relied upon to ensure that issues within areas of responsibility are completed in a relevant and timely manner and within budget; sets high standards for self and others; assigns clear
accountability backed by appropriate authority.
GETS RESULTS (- Advantage Obama)
Achieves strategic goals; delivers measurable results, on time and within budget; translate(s ideas into concrete actions; champions initiatives beyond the scope of one’s job; mobilizes resources and removes barriers for success; anticipates potential problems and
develops contingency plans to overcome them; works across political and organizational boundaries, avoiding turf issues, and eliminating unnecessary work to achieve the desired results; concentrates on outcomes rather than activities.
IDENTIFIES AND DEVELOPS TALENT (- Advantage Obama)
Inspires, fosters, and develops leadership in others through coaching, mentoring, rewarding and guiding those under him/her; develops successors and talent pools for key positions.
TAKES INITIATIVE/RISK-TAKING (- Advantage McCain)
Creates an environment that encourages creative thinking; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes; challenges the status quo; recognizes opportunities and takes action to achieve objectives; empowers others to take risks, supports them when things go wrong and encourages them to learn from set-backs and failures.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT (- Advantage Obama)
Understands process and issues inherent in change management and plans accordingly; instills confidence and trust in others; coordinates resources; evaluates measures, project plans and deliverables for
strategic alignment; acknowledges individual’s responses to change and helps them adjust; Adapts unit goals and work plans in response to internal and external forces that will impact the future effectiveness of the unit.
THINKING SKILLS (- Advantage Obama)
Identifies and integrates the critical elements of a situation, making correct inferences from data; breaks complex problems into component parts and organizes the parts in a systematic way; uses innovation to develop novel solutions; can explain to others how to understand and approach complicated problems.
POLITICAL ACUMEN(-Advantage: Obama)
Applies resources, constituency needs, and processes to make sound strategic and business decisions.
STRATEGIC THINKING AND PLANNING (- Advantage Obama)
Formulates effective strategies consistent with the needs of the nation; sees the big picture and holds a long-term perspective; determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities; aligns people to support organizational goals; drives the execution of strategic plans and monitors results.
MANAGES RESOURCES (- Advantage Obama)
Assesses current and future staffing needs based on organizational goals and budget realties; ensures staff are appropriately selected, developed, utilized, appraised and rewarded; readily shares resources
to support political initiatives; understands key financial indicators; uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities; integrates technology into the workplace to improve effectiveness and efficiency; understands
the impact of technological changes on the organization.
PROFESSIONAL AND POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE (- Advantage Obama)
Continually enhances knowledge and skills to keep abreast of global developments and emerging issues; understands what it takes to be successful; has a thorough knowledge of the nation’s mission, history, and constituencies.
PROBLEM SOLVING/DECISION MAKING (- Advantage Obama)
Develops new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to make improvements; exercises good judgment by making sound and well-informed decisions; is proactive; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions; effectively analyzes potential for risk and acts decisively; makes
breakthrough decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment; solicits input from individuals who can add significant value to the decision-making process. Cultivates effective relationships to create a culture that supports the national goals and strategy.
INFLUENCING SKILLS (- Advantage Obama)
Builds coalitions through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; collaborates across boundaries; recognizes which battles are worth fighting for and when it is time to compromise; seeks to build internal and external partnerships to better accomplish goals; invites other points of view; anticipates the reactions and objections of others.
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT ( Advantage Obama)
Identifies and takes steps to prevent potential situations that could result in confrontations; manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a positive and constructive manner to minimize negative impacts.
LEVERAGES DIVERSITY (- Advantage Obama)
Recruits, develops and retains a diverse political base; leads and manages an inclusive environment that maximizes the talents of each person to achieve sound results; respects, understands, values and seeks out individual differences to achieve the vision and mission of
the organization.
TEAM BUILDING (- Advantage Obama)
Inspires and guides others toward goal accomplishments;
consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships; fosters commitment, team spirit, pride and trust; shares leadership and helps the team become interdependent by facilitating participation and
group interaction.
TREATS OTHERS WITH RESPECT (- Advantage Obama)
Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings and capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful, compassionate and sensitive; challenges others' ideas without getting
personal; follows through on commitments to others.
PRESENTS IDEAS EFFECTIVELY (- Advantage Obama)
Makes clear and convincing presentations to individuals and groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; shares relevant information and expectations openly, honestly and in a timely fashion; targets presentations to the needs and level of the audience;
translates complex information into understandable, meaningful, relevant language. On-going development of skills and competencies to lead the nation.
TOLERANCE FOR AMBIGUITY (- Advantage Obama)
Takes changing priorities and new developments in stride, even in-the face of ambiguity; leads with a clear sense of priorities in a climate of uncertainty and change.
FLEXIBILITY (- Advantage Obama)
Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, technology, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles; adjusts rapidly to new situations warranting
attention and resolution.
SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT (- Advantage Obama)
Recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback from others; extracts learning from failure.
LEARNS CONTINUOUSLY (- Advantage Obama)
Pursues self-development and opportunities to master new knowledge; applies new knowledge; embraces new and diverse ideas; shares learning broadly.
The last two elections were based on simple emotional and
subjective criteria such as: perceived likability; perceived stiffness; our comfort level having a beer with the candidates, our fear of an intellectually superior president, and our fear of changing administrations during wartime; or, just our need to identify with the person.
Let's be more substantive and objective this time. Let's set our leadership requirements and make a valid decision based on the candidates' ability to meet those requirements. We deserve nothing
less.
In the business world, developing a competency model for the selection of a CEO is a best practice and standard operating procedure for many successful companies. If
we use a behavioral template as criteria for selecting a president, how would our presidential candidates compare? Read the characteristics below carefully and rate each of the candidates objectively. Though obviously open for discussion, I have rated the winner in each competency based on my observations of each in action. The Presidential Leadership Competencies are listed below:
VISIONING (- Advantage Obama)
Takes a long-term view and acts as a catalyst for change; builds a shared vision with others; influences others to translates vision into action; creates a compelling and inspirational picture of the future.
ACTS WITH INTEGRITY (- Advantage Obama)
Fosters high standards for ethical behavior; behaves in a fair and ethical manner towards others; demonstrates high political and professional standards; handles situations with integrity; viewed as highly trustworthy; stands up for what is right despite potential personal consequences; demonstrates consistency between words and
actions; honors commitments to others.
ACCOUNTABILITY(- Advantage Obama)
Holds self and others accountable for laws, policies, rules and responsibilities; can be relied upon to ensure that issues within areas of responsibility are completed in a relevant and timely manner and within budget; sets high standards for self and others; assigns clear
accountability backed by appropriate authority.
GETS RESULTS (- Advantage Obama)
Achieves strategic goals; delivers measurable results, on time and within budget; translate(s ideas into concrete actions; champions initiatives beyond the scope of one’s job; mobilizes resources and removes barriers for success; anticipates potential problems and
develops contingency plans to overcome them; works across political and organizational boundaries, avoiding turf issues, and eliminating unnecessary work to achieve the desired results; concentrates on outcomes rather than activities.
IDENTIFIES AND DEVELOPS TALENT (- Advantage Obama)
Inspires, fosters, and develops leadership in others through coaching, mentoring, rewarding and guiding those under him/her; develops successors and talent pools for key positions.
TAKES INITIATIVE/RISK-TAKING (- Advantage McCain)
Creates an environment that encourages creative thinking; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes; challenges the status quo; recognizes opportunities and takes action to achieve objectives; empowers others to take risks, supports them when things go wrong and encourages them to learn from set-backs and failures.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT (- Advantage Obama)
Understands process and issues inherent in change management and plans accordingly; instills confidence and trust in others; coordinates resources; evaluates measures, project plans and deliverables for
strategic alignment; acknowledges individual’s responses to change and helps them adjust; Adapts unit goals and work plans in response to internal and external forces that will impact the future effectiveness of the unit.
THINKING SKILLS (- Advantage Obama)
Identifies and integrates the critical elements of a situation, making correct inferences from data; breaks complex problems into component parts and organizes the parts in a systematic way; uses innovation to develop novel solutions; can explain to others how to understand and approach complicated problems.
POLITICAL ACUMEN(-Advantage: Obama)
Applies resources, constituency needs, and processes to make sound strategic and business decisions.
STRATEGIC THINKING AND PLANNING (- Advantage Obama)
Formulates effective strategies consistent with the needs of the nation; sees the big picture and holds a long-term perspective; determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities; aligns people to support organizational goals; drives the execution of strategic plans and monitors results.
MANAGES RESOURCES (- Advantage Obama)
Assesses current and future staffing needs based on organizational goals and budget realties; ensures staff are appropriately selected, developed, utilized, appraised and rewarded; readily shares resources
to support political initiatives; understands key financial indicators; uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities; integrates technology into the workplace to improve effectiveness and efficiency; understands
the impact of technological changes on the organization.
PROFESSIONAL AND POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE (- Advantage Obama)
Continually enhances knowledge and skills to keep abreast of global developments and emerging issues; understands what it takes to be successful; has a thorough knowledge of the nation’s mission, history, and constituencies.
PROBLEM SOLVING/DECISION MAKING (- Advantage Obama)
Develops new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to make improvements; exercises good judgment by making sound and well-informed decisions; is proactive; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions; effectively analyzes potential for risk and acts decisively; makes
breakthrough decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment; solicits input from individuals who can add significant value to the decision-making process. Cultivates effective relationships to create a culture that supports the national goals and strategy.
INFLUENCING SKILLS (- Advantage Obama)
Builds coalitions through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; collaborates across boundaries; recognizes which battles are worth fighting for and when it is time to compromise; seeks to build internal and external partnerships to better accomplish goals; invites other points of view; anticipates the reactions and objections of others.
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT ( Advantage Obama)
Identifies and takes steps to prevent potential situations that could result in confrontations; manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a positive and constructive manner to minimize negative impacts.
LEVERAGES DIVERSITY (- Advantage Obama)
Recruits, develops and retains a diverse political base; leads and manages an inclusive environment that maximizes the talents of each person to achieve sound results; respects, understands, values and seeks out individual differences to achieve the vision and mission of
the organization.
TEAM BUILDING (- Advantage Obama)
Inspires and guides others toward goal accomplishments;
consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships; fosters commitment, team spirit, pride and trust; shares leadership and helps the team become interdependent by facilitating participation and
group interaction.
TREATS OTHERS WITH RESPECT (- Advantage Obama)
Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings and capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful, compassionate and sensitive; challenges others' ideas without getting
personal; follows through on commitments to others.
PRESENTS IDEAS EFFECTIVELY (- Advantage Obama)
Makes clear and convincing presentations to individuals and groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; shares relevant information and expectations openly, honestly and in a timely fashion; targets presentations to the needs and level of the audience;
translates complex information into understandable, meaningful, relevant language. On-going development of skills and competencies to lead the nation.
TOLERANCE FOR AMBIGUITY (- Advantage Obama)
Takes changing priorities and new developments in stride, even in-the face of ambiguity; leads with a clear sense of priorities in a climate of uncertainty and change.
FLEXIBILITY (- Advantage Obama)
Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, technology, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles; adjusts rapidly to new situations warranting
attention and resolution.
SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT (- Advantage Obama)
Recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback from others; extracts learning from failure.
LEARNS CONTINUOUSLY (- Advantage Obama)
Pursues self-development and opportunities to master new knowledge; applies new knowledge; embraces new and diverse ideas; shares learning broadly.
The last two elections were based on simple emotional and
subjective criteria such as: perceived likability; perceived stiffness; our comfort level having a beer with the candidates, our fear of an intellectually superior president, and our fear of changing administrations during wartime; or, just our need to identify with the person.
Let's be more substantive and objective this time. Let's set our leadership requirements and make a valid decision based on the candidates' ability to meet those requirements. We deserve nothing
less.
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