Obama The Leadership of "We Are One"
Obama The Leadership of "We Are One"
Obama The Leadership of "We Are One"
Obama
The Leadership of We Are One
Victoria C. DePaul
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Obama ~ The Leadership of We Are One
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Table of Contents
Preface........................................................................................1
Innovation ...............................................................................29
Commitment ...........................................................................55
Autonomy ...............................................................................69
Risk ...........................................................................................83
Empowerment ......................................................................135
Diversity ................................................................................177
Vision .....................................................................................195
Epilogue.................................................................................233
Acknowledgements .............................................................248
Contributors………………………………………….…….253
Preface
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Preface
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Preface
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Preface
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Chapter 1
Intrapreneurial Leadership
Defined
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Obama: The Leadership of We Are One
first of the body, the second, of mind and spirit. The first,
the physical energy system, includes the five senses.
While the physical energy system of the body is impor-
tant, it is the second, nonphysical human energy system
that is the primary power of each individual and of each
group or organization.
Life is about energy. Your results, your power, in
life are dependent on how you use and control energy. As
a leader, you must understand that your results are
dependent upon your use and control of organizational
energy. While energy exists in many different forms, your
primary concern as a leader, is the energy of the individu-
al, the nonphysical, human energy that exists within each
of us, within the people that
If you have the heart
make up your teams. These are and the determination
to inspire and moti-
the energies that fuel our vate others into action
thoughts, passions, emotions, only then can you call
yourself a leader.
ideas, motivations, and self- Jeremy Everett
Tripoli, IA
esteem.
“Energy” is classified as life energy when it cannot
be produced by physical means or measured by scientific
instruments. Such energies are life energies; they are
produced, perceived, and used by people—life entities.
You can’t go down to the local hardware store and say,
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Intrapreneurial Leadership Defined
than any force on earth. This is the energy that fuels the
nonphysical self. It is this collective energy that binds us
together as a nation and as a global community. In many
of his speeches, Barack Obama makes reference to the
biblical dilemma, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Ultimately
we will all rise together or we will all fall together. Once
we understand that, the answer to this timeless question
becomes clear. History will note that the hallmark of
Barack Obama’s grassroots campaign was the high level
of personal empowerment that participants enjoyed.
This increase in personal power resulted in a high
level of creativity, enthusiasm, resourcefulness and
initiative. People were encouraged and invited to partici-
pate at whatever level they could. As we move through-
out 2009, Barack Obama continues to provide citizens the
opportunity to experience themselves as creative and
empowered participants of government. In December,
2008, citizens were asked to host house parties to assist in
determining which issues warrant immediate priority.
Over 4,000 people hosted “Change is Coming” house
parties in all 50 states.
In a state of personal empowerment, individuals
enjoy the experience of positive energy. From this state of
empowerment, individuals become innovative thinkers.
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Intrapreneurial Leadership Defined
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Intrapreneurial Leadership Defined
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Obama: The Leadership of We Are One
Douglas Robinson
Great Falls, MT
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Chapter 4
Autonomy
In the end, that’s all most Americans are asking for. It’s not a
lot. The people I’ve met during this campaign in town halls
and living rooms; on farms and front porches—they know
that government can’t solve all their problems, and they don’t
expect it to. They’re willing to do their part—to work harder
and study more and replace the remote controls and video
games with books and homework. They believe in personal
responsibility and self-reliance. They don’t like seeing their
tax dollars wasted.
Senator Barack Obama
Springfield, MO • July 20, 2008
FOR TOO LONG, our country has been seized by fear and division
which has polarized our electorate, has threatened civil dis-
course and discouraged constructive dialogue. I believe that
Barack has a unique ability to inspire, to help us to find the best
in ourselves and to begin to bridge the divide created by cur-
rent destructive, self-serving partisan politics. Such integrity
and leadership will be crucial as we collectively face the shared
challenges and sacrifices that ill be necessary to support our
beloved country, our world and the future of our children.
David Loewenstein PhD
Miami, Florida
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Autonomy
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Autonomy
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Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Situational Analysis
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Obama: The Leadership of We Are One
Adrianna Riley-Roach
Wheatley Heights, NY
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Situational Analysis
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A FEW YEARS AGO I was getting ready for work and I happened
to turn the TV on. I saw a young senator from Illinois speak. He
was speaking about the war in Iraq …What he was saying is
what I had been saying for some time. I am a veteran and sup-
port my fellow service men and women, but this war is a no go.
To my surprise, someone in government agreed and was trying
to do something about it. This past year I saw that same senator
announce he was running for president. I didn't know if he was
ready for such a task until I began watching the debates and
reading his plans. He isn't saying “his goals” but instead “our
goals.” This is our country and Obama is fine being our voice.
That is what a president is. He is our voice. We want someone
in office who will stand up for the working people of the coun-
try, not just the elite and the rich. Change is a gift and a free-
dom that we have in this beautiful country. We must change as
a society, but changing doesn't mean you throw away the true
meaning of what this country was founded on. Change is not
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Situational Analysis
does not mean that you will never see negative campaign-
ing from both sides of a campaign. There are times when
leaders must absolutely correct misinformation, distor-
tions and untruths. By creating mistrust and confusion in
the minds of people, negative campaigning will produce
results, however there are other distortions of the mind
that produce negative effects as well.
Intrapreneurial Leaders understand the mind crea-
tions of stories and histories. These mind creations work
like this: An event occurs. The facts are usually simple
and direct. However, some people take the event and spin
a long story around it. Usually they are both the innocent
victim and the hero/heroine, making the other person the
bad guy, the wrong or stupid one. You will find the best
examples of “Stories and Histories” in your own life. Who
delights in telling you long stories about something that
happened in the past—sometimes years ago? They will
also tell the story in present tense, present verb time, and
blow-by-blow.
Furthermore, they will tell you the same story over
and over again, at intervals of days or weeks or months,
as if you had never heard it before. The same thing hap-
pens in organizations. Turn on the TV and you will see it
in many of our political leaders. Many enterprises go out
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make their voice heard in this election except for one thing—
Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when
there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when
someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons—because she
was a woman and because of the color of her skin. Tonight, I
think about all that she's seen throughout her century in
America—the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the
progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the
people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we
can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their
hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak
out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was
despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she
saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs
and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threat-
ened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to
greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in
Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta
who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in
Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagi-
nation. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger
to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in
America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours,
she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
We have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is
so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves—if our
children should live to see the next century… what change
will they see? ….This is our chance to answer that call. This is
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To Senator Obama:
I watched that first debate from the University of Missis-
sippi. I want you to know that I was enormously proud of you
no matter what the pundits or spin doctors may say. I want to
explain why I was proud:
• You refrained from any personal attacks.
• You acknowledged when Senator McCain was right.
• You clearly stated when he was wrong, and why he was
wrong.
• You set forth your own views with clarity.
• You refused to talk down to the American people.
Whatever happens on Nov. 4, I will never regret having
worked hard for you as a grassroots volunteer. You have al-
ways conducted yourself with the utmost dignity and grace.
You have displayed integrity and authenticity. You have run a
positive campaign. And I know you are committed to bringing
the political parties together in Washington and people from all
walks of life around the country.
If you win, you will help to transform this nation at home,
and will restore our standing among nations. I say help, be-
cause you have always stressed that change comes from the
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bottom up, and that the campaign is not, ultimately, about you;
rather, it is about the American people.
Contrary to the lie that has been promulgated, to the effect
that you are presumptuous, I feel that you have your ego under
control. You have always made clear that you are not a perfect
person or candidate. I appreciate that enormously.
I feel confident that you will win the presidency.
I have been happy to spend hundreds of hours as a gras-
sroots volunteer. Through this effort, I have met many wonder-
ful people of all races and from all walks of life. Participation in
this campaign has re-energized me. I know you will be OK,
should you win or should you lose. So will I. One of the great
things you have imparted to me is the desire to remain engaged
in the effort to change this country for the better—for the rest
of my life. What we see here is more than a campaign; it is a
movement for fundamental change in the way we treat one
another in this society, whether we act out of greed and malice
or demonstrate real concern for our fellow citizens, including
the poor, the disabled and the disempowered—and forcefully
act on that concern.
I have seen many candidates come and go. You are the
most impressive one since JFK, by far. I participated in the civil
rights movement in the South during the 1960s. You have
helped to make the spirit of that movement live again. I have
worked with the poor and disabled for many years as a teacher,
counselor and advocate. You have helped to restore my sense
of commitment to such work. Finally, your example of hard
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Chapter 7
Empowerment
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used to hide the full cost of this war. In the business world,
it's a mentality that sees conflicts of interest as opportunities
for profit. The quick kill is prized without regard to long-term
consequences for the financial system and the economy. And
while this may benefit the few who push the envelope as far
as it will go, it's doesn't benefit America and it doesn't benefit
the market. Just because it makes money doesn't mean it's
good for business. It's bad for business when boards allow
their executives to set the price of their stock options to guar-
antee that they'll get rich regardless of how they perform. It's
bad for the bottom line when CEOs receive massive sever-
ance packages after letting down shareholders, firing workers
and dumping their pensions….It's bad for competition when
you have an Administration that's willing to approve merger
after merger with barely any scrutiny. Such an approach
stifles innovation….Americans or most businesses. And we
will not tolerate “what's good for me is good enough” any
longer—because the only thing that's good enough is what's
best for America.
I am also asking you to join me in doing something else
today. I am asking you to remind yourselves that in this coun-
try, we rise or fall as one people. And I am asking you to join
me in ushering in a new era of mutual responsibility in Amer-
ica.
Senator Barack Obama
September, 17, 2007 • New York, NY
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Empowerment
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OUR COUNTRY HAS FALLEN into the pitfall of dualism: “Us ver-
sus Them,” “My Way or No Way.” Or, as Prez Dubya Bush has
said over and over again, in trying to browbeat sovereign na-
tions and peoples worldwide, “You're either with us or against
us.” This 'logic' leads toward brinksmanship—saber-rattling—
and the threat of worldwide conflagration. Barack Obama has
been sent to us to heal that dualistic divide. He embodies with-
in himself the unity of “opposites”: he is black AND white; he
is national and international—USA citizen, and the son of an
African immigrant father…. he is father and husband—and
fighter for responsible fatherhood. He is a tough-childhood
pragmatist, a fighter for lofty ideals, and for the environment.
We must not squander this incarnate and precious gift of a
Healer, a Teacher, and Leader—all in ONE. Here in Minnesota,
the indigenous/Native people from the Lakota/Dakota and
related tribal communities have a prayerful saying in their own
language which I believe expresses this UNITY best: “Mitakuye
Oyasin”—All My Relatives—meaning what the Obama's stand
for—“WE ARE ALL RELATED. UNITY IS OUR SPIRITUAL
DESTINY.”
Alice Winfree Bowron
St. Louis Park, MN
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Empowerment
Thank you.
Fannie Lou Hamer
Democratic National Convention • July 1964
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Empowerment
maries. I took part in this program. I have never felt more effec-
tive politically. As a GenX cynic, I never thought I would have
“hope” for a politician. He has already left a great legacy—
regardless of the results of this election—with the army of
politically aware people he has left behind. He has reawakened
something in me and many others. I feel proud of my country,
for the first time in a long time. Go Obama!
Sarah L. Gerhardt
Portland, OR
Glenn Williams
Lincoln, NE
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Denise Cyr
Medford, OR
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Chapter 9
Diversity
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Diversity
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Diversity
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a diverse nation.
We co-exist in a diverse global community of reli-
gions, cultures, nationalities, histories and ethnicities. The
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Diversity
vention I couldn't help but feel that I had finally joined with
those pioneers of civil rights. I have become one with them. I
think many others feel that way too. Senator's Obama's elec-
tion to office would be, for me, as important as of the fall of
the Soviet Union and something I never thought would happen
in my lifetime.
Gary Gagne
Charlotte, NC
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I long for a president who will inspire, uplift, excite and moti-
vate me; with a fresh perceptive, intellectual curiosity, unwa-
vering integrity, a sense of humor, kind heart, spiritual soul and
peaceful nature; an orator and a leader; a humanitarian and a
philosopher; a poet and a teacher; a sage man and healer; a
person who has strength of character and the passions of his
convictions; a person of principle, veracity and courage; some-
one who makes me believe again - actually believe for the
FIRST TIME IN MY ADULT life - in the promise, dignity and
spirit of America. That man is Barack Obama.
Saudia Lawrence
San Francisco, CA
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because the world sees itself in this man. I need a leader who
believes in the basic goodness of human beings first. I want a
leader larger than him or herself. I want as a leader a man who
listens, has a diverse team around him, and sometimes screws
up, always feeling humbled after—knowing his humanity, yet
looking to divinity for assistance. I want a leader who is willing
to admit mistakes—his own and a nation's. I want an America
willing to believe that a powerful person is patriotic when he
can see the mistakes his country has made—and care enough
to confront them, and to turn them around. I want an America
that does not demand perfection from its president. We need a
leader who can shed needed light on a path—and then we'll
walk down the path and we'll work together, and we'll give a
little of our own comfort to help a brother—and Mr. President,
we promise not to try and make you into the Messiah. We
commit ourselves to the journey, and we won't sit back and see
what you're going to do. This is our country, and we want it
back. You understand this because you were a part of that in
Chicago. You know the power of church basements, and you
know the danger of lethargy among a people. What I love
about Obama is that he already knows that he cannot change
the state of this economy, war, or health care alone. A leader is
a humble servant. I want a humble servant who believes in
something larger than himself. I want Barack Obama.
Cheryl Saluga
Boardman, OH
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About The Author
http://www.GalileoConsultants.com
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Acknowledgements
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Acknowledgements
Special Thanks…..
IN THESE PAGES YOU HAVE BEEN introduced to a new para-
digm of organizations, how life works, and the internal
mechanisms of human energy. This book is an application
study of my interpretation of the works of Thomas Mi-
chael Powell, a modern-day philosopher. At the heart of
these teachings is the codification of the universal laws of
Wisdom, Power, and Esteem. From my personal mentor-
ship with Thomas I have learned that life is a polarity;
true personal power comes from understanding that all of
experience is both positive and negative. Our inability to
effectively manage our internal negative energies is the
only cause of unhappiness in life. Not only have I learned
how these universal laws work in determining the out-
comes of our individual lives, but they are the determi-
nants for success or failure in all human organizations.
Thomas has given me unlimited access to his books and
course materials to aid in completing this project and so
many others.
Once again, I extend profound gratitude and ap-
preciation to Thomas Michael Powell for his contribution
to this book, my life, and to humanity.
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Contributors
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Acknowledgements
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