Stalked by paradox: Has Barack Obama just created a problem for himself?
Posted by Oliver Nyumbu
July 26th, 2008
Sometimes leadership means that either/or situations are merely a trap for the unsuspecting and the experienced alike. Prior to the overseas trip Senator McCain was justifiably inviting the American electorate to join him in having concerns about Senator Obama’s lack of international and military experience.
Many observers and commentators are of the view that Mr Obama’s overseas trip has been a success. But, there ends the either/or aspect of the gauntlet. For, as the New York Times puts it today:
The quandary for Mr. Obama is that while his trip clearly presented an opportunity for him — even many Republicans conceded that he seized it masterfully with eight days of appearances in troubled lands, meetings with foreign leaders and visits to soldiers — it also fuelled the questions his critics have used to try to undercut him: whether he is arrogant and taking his election for granted.
At a much smaller scale, as a leader you may find that some of your days are similarly dogged by paradox much like the senator’s European trip which ended today. What skills and approaches have worked particularly well for you?
August 1st, 2008 at 10:55 am
Oliver
Great to have you back blogging.
I think the Obama’s problem is that in trying to close the gaps of perceived inexperience or being “different” he sometimes comes accross too presumptious. He is not helped by the media fawning over him not neccessarily because they admire him but probably because he makes good copy.
I think he needs to mind the gap but at times in life just do what you believe in and let the paradox takes care of itself . There is much to admire Churchill in this regard.