Michelle Obama is helping men, women and children of all ages, races and socioeconomic classes to take part in change. She believes that through conversation and setting examples, change can happen. These two factors are part of the process that Michelle feels are the most important. She is practicing these two factors in building change regarding children’s health in the “Let’s Move” campaign that fights against childhood obesity.
Another example is her recent mentoring program. Katherine Skiba (2009) described this original program that reaches high school girls from the Washington D.C. area. Students in their sophomore or junior year are mentored by Michelle and other female staff of the White House (p.1). Students have the opportunity to visit the White House, take college prep courses, travel with Michelle and communicate with other women in leadership roles. Through this mentoring program she is sharing her knowledge and encouraging others to do the same with the youth of our country.
Michelle has built relationships with a variety of people whom share her vision and beliefs. As a leader she is encouraging others to build relationships and mentor. She believes our countries’ greatest resource is our people. Michelle holds a passion in everything she does and the issues she supports share in her own morals. Before being in the White House, she shared in the struggle of being a mom with children and a working husband. She is trying to encourage others in a way that is not blaming others, but sharing knowledge and resources with others. As a leader she believes in paying forward. She told the girls in the mentoring program that there is also responsibility that comes with the great opportunity that they have. Michelle Obama stated “We have some expectations from you as well, that when you get to this position, you do the same for someone else. And if we keep building in that way, holding one another up, there’s no telling what we can do” (Nia-Malika Henderson, 2009, p. 2). With Michelle’s ability to build relationships and knowledge while standing behind her morals and values, all while creating change in a smooth, gradual and accepting way, and by “holding one another up” (using her own words), there’s no telling what Michelle Obama can do as a leader.
Henderson, Nia-Malika. (November 2009). Michelle Launches Mentoring Program. Retrieved 05:30, February 24, 2010 from http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29042.html
Skiba, Katherine. (November 2009). Michelle Obama to Mentor Washing Girls. Retrieved 05:55, February 24, 2010 from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tc-nw-obama-mentor-110209nov02,0,4496760.story
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Michelle Obama is doing so many amazing things and I agree with you that "there's no telling what [she] can do as a leader". Like Michelle Obama, my leader, Michael J. Fox, is using his celebrity to elicit change and facilitate hope. Change and hope are two of the most important platforms for leaders to promote and it is inspirational to see these elements brought back to the American people.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, Michelle Obama became part of the project that my students had to do in conjunction with our coverage of Fox's memoir because of her work with Public Service Announcements. My students were asked to find examples of quality PSAs before creating their own and they all agreed that Mrs. Obama's PSAs embodied all of the essential characteristics. Consequently, the students were able to make high quality PSAs of their own to advocate for a cause in their community. The fact that leaders such as the Obamas, Fox, and countless others can bring their message to today's teens and inspire them to elicit change on their own is a testimony to their greatness.
I really liked the concept in the movie, "Pay it Forward". Your example is certainly strongly connected with the pay it forward ideals. This is a very strong example of moral purpose and this purpose guides her and her work. She exemplifies a leader in that she is leading by example and also holding her followers accountacle to same standards she holds herself. This is often a tragic flaw in leaders in that they live by the "do as I say, not as I do" mantra. This mantra destroys organizations as it alienates all aspects of leadership capacity. It is very obvious that Mrs. Obama is not one of these leaders, but a true leader through words and deeds.
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ReplyDeleteMichelle Obama is clearly a leader whose capacities to make a difference are just beginning. As a mother of two young girls her moral purpose is string and will grow with her children.
ReplyDeleteThe change process in her role as a leader will also change. Michelle is a promoter, supporter and analyzer. I see her characteristics changing as she learns and develops as a leader.
Michelle is very educated and open mind to keep learning and sharing what she knows, evident in her project with the students. The two projects Michelle started, the one regarding health and the second one mentoring exemplify her sharing of knowledge as a mother and educated women leader.
Tying all these qualities together Michelle exhibits coherence of her skills as a leader.
Sara,
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with the capacity of leadership that has been shown by Michelle during her first year as the First Lady. Most recently she has expressed a sincere interest in combatting childhood obesity. This is a terrible and pervasive problem in our country. As a school district that has more than 50 % of its children obese and overweight by medical definition I am elated that she has made this her cause. She has great passion and moral purpose about everthing that she does. She is a strong role model to mothers who are trying to be physically fit and are encouraging their children to do the same. She walks the walk that she talks as she can be seen exercising several times per week with her husband. I really think that she has more to show us as a nation though than her well-sculpted arms! She demonstrates great integrity as no one has been able to link her with any personal or professional scandal. Michelle Obama is highly educated but her "voice" speaks to the common person in the U.S and internationally. I think that she fosters collaboration and will celebrate the victories of the wellness issue and others that she adopts with all who help her to achieve her goals.