The first big stumble of the Obama administration is about ethics and double standards.  The American Public still made it clear they won’t tolerate that. Former Sen. Tom Daschle was forced to withdraw from consideration for secretary of Health and Human Services after a mounting debate over his back taxes.  Nancy Killefer, earlier in the day withdrew her name from consideration as Chief Performance Officer – also over tax issues.

What’s distressing is that President Obama “got it” only after the public outcry.  “I’m here on television saying I screwed up …ultimately it’s important …to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules. You know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes.” 

It’s hard to imagine that this President didn’t anticipate how angry people would be.  Whether its arrogance or expediency Tim Geithner’s appointment as Treasury Secretary was rammed through and then the White House folks started believing they could massage these other flawed appointments, too.  Getting away with it once allowed Obama to fool himself that it didn’t matter, really. 

Harvard Business Review reports this month that when asked what they look for and admire in a leader and in a colleague, people put honesty at #1.  People can accept mistakes, poor judgment or missteps but they simply won’t consider you a good leader if you aren’t honest with them.  In the President’s case, I think there is a question here of intellectual honesty - did he really believe that it was okay to give powerful people a different set of rules to live by than every day Americans, who have to prepare their taxes, pay them on time, or suffer penalties if they don’t? 

This is a leadership lesson - not just about double standards, but about intellectual honesty.  When you are honest you have to make difficult choices - you have to walk your talk.  In Motivate Like a CEO, this is one of the eight principles of motivational leadership.  When you walk the talk, people believe in you and your organization.  Acting in a way that is consistent with your words is essential to your success as a leader.  A leader who acts with integrity generates confidence and enthusiasm, and ultimately builds a motivated workforce that gets things done.  When people see you mean what you say and that they can count on you to act in concert with your principles, they believe in you and they also behave in the same way.  You win their trust, and you can trust them.  You cannot have a motivated workforce or a successful company if there isn’t a reasonable high level of trust and integrity between management and employees.

If you would like a copy of the Eight Principles of Motivating Like a CEO, please email info@bates-communications.com 

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At noon today, President Barack Obama gave the speech of his life. History will judge which words will be etched in marble.  

Perhaps what’s most notable is how our President-Elect has been communicating with us all along.  You might say he’s decided to become not just Commander in Chief, but also ”Communicator in Chief.” 

What is impressive is not just his command of the podium.  President-Elect Obama knows his way around modern technology.  He fought with government lawyers and security agencies to keep his own BlackBerry for personal and private messages.  He already seems to be mastering the art of communicating through imagery – those awful Greek columns aside – yesterday, the President Elect was photographed with paint roller in hand –a powerful image that says how each of us must do our part.

Mr. Obama’s rhetorical flair and unflappable confidence on the platform catapulted him onto the national stage four years ago; he just kept getting better.  It isn’t all about style — it’s the way he thinks about communication.  The fact that he created an office of the President-Elect –complete with a media room and a presidential-worthy podium, demonstrates how important he thinks it is.

What can business leaders learn from Mr. Obama?  First - charisma - it does matter.  Our new President commands the room, adapts with ease, and makes his one-on one interviews hip, down home and comfortable; he also delivers a rousing, motivational speech and makes you believe the rhetoric of hope from a big platform.  While he does have some annoying vocal habits –I noticed after awhile that the phrases “as I’ve said,” or “I’ve made it clear,” frequently creep in, just prior to the answer to a tough question; still you cannot help but admire how he connects.

Having said that, there is certainly more to Obama’s effectiveness than charisma.  He carved out precious time during the transition for press conferences.  He became highly visible, gaining control of the national dialogue, filling the potential news vacuum during the Bush to Obama transition.  Had Mr. Obama chosen to stay behind the scenes, the nation would no doubt have felt restless and leaderless.  Instead, we had the distinct perception that someone was already in charge.

So ultimately for every leader, it isn’t just about his style.  No leader can emulate another.  You have to be good at being YOU –find you own honest, effective, and authentic style of communication 

What it’s really about is acknowledging that in challenging times, communication is vital.  Shepherding your organization through the turmoil requires you to take the most active role in communicating with your employees, customers and stakeholders.  You have to be standing at the center of the communication universe.  You cannot view the communication “function” as such – something that “other people” manage and execute.  You have to stand right there and make sure it happens – position yourself in the middle of the loop. 

This can be difficult on a personal level.  It’s hard to communicate when you don’t have the answers.  In times of stress we are inclined to retreat and wait.  If you don’t feel like you have something good to say, perhaps you think you should say nothing at all.  Yet what is really required of a leader– is a commitment to communication, and a message of hope.  You have to communicate more often with your organization and make sure you tell people how important they are in helping the company survive and thrive.  Speaking with purpose and passion, you create an honest, open dialogue with your employees and customers, and you talk about the future.  What Barack Obama has shown us already is how powerful it can be when you deliver a message of hope.

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