Wednesday, March 11, 2009

WARNING: This is NOT satire: How to "Obamafy" Your Career

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How to "Obamafy" Your Career
This is not parody. I think I am gonna puke. From MSN Careerbuilders:
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http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com
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Perhaps President Barack Obama can help save the economy in more ways than one: by following his leadership example, employees at all levels can communicate better, lead better and be more valuable to bosses and colleagues -- all of which may help save your careers.
President Obama may have the most powerful job in the world -- but the way he conducts himself provides important lessons that can be used by workers at any level. Whether you're trying to accelerate your career or just hang onto the job you have now, here are five things you can do to "Obamafy" your career:
Be generous
Turn negatives into positives and share credit. The president could have "gone negative" when Chief Justice Roberts flubbed the oath of office. Instead, he said he was the one who had messed up and thanked Roberts for his help. President Obama's generosity made the chief justice look good and created good will the president could draw on in the future.
Admit to mistake"I screwed up." Everyone has -- although fewer admit to it. But when the President of the United States openly acknowledges he made a mistake, it communicates volumes more than the words themselves. After former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota withdrew his Cabinet nomination over a tax controversy, the president took the blame. Time and again he has said that he and his team will make mistakes, but he also promises to learn from them. That's a leadership attitude that is valued by bosses and subordinates alike.
Make it all about the team President Obama elevates other people. Notice how often he deflects attention from himself to his staff -- saying things like, "I need the help of these smart people" or "I couldn't have done it without you." Remember, there's no "I" in team -- incorporating the "we" can boost morale and improve productivity.
Learn how to ask for help without sounding dumb.
When the president introduced Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, he made a point of saying he needed her help. He was able to cite her experience without diminishing his own leadership. Asking for help strategically can actually make you look smarter. Reaching out to people with relevant experience, asking for examples and soliciting feedback along the way all serve to show you've got good judgment.
Personalize itLike the best politicians, President Obama is able to make personal connections. When he spoke to soldiers in Afghanistan at an Inaugural ball, he addressed each one in turn and asked the all important question of any Chicagoan: Cubs or White Sox? When you work with teams, you need to make a genuine connection with every member.
The president stands out not only for his political talent, but because he knows how to share credit, accept blame, be self-deprecating, talk straight and make sure that both senior and junior colleagues stand out. Whether you're a senior executive, a manager or an intern, you can learn lessons from President Obama that will make you great on the job.
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UPDATE: OT but related Cheezy pathos: Tender, Juicy Obama Fingers Hit the Shelves (hat tip rut)

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