Obama's Cross-Cultural Leadership Woos the World
New American President Barack Obama's Global Leadership Approach
Nov 9, 2009
Newsweek's international correspondent Kistore Mahbubani wrote: "Since 2000, the United States' standing has deteriorated in all parts of the world and anti-Americanism has grown intense. The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey revealed that in the eight years before President Obama took office, favorable views of the United States fell from 78% to 30% in Germany, 50% to 22% in Argentina, and 75% to 37% in Indonesia."
New American President Barack Obama Promised a New Type of American Leadership
In light of that reality, during his acceptance speech in Chicago's Grant Park, then President-Elect Barack Obama peered out into the world at-large and promised a new type of American leadership. Now, after only one year on the job, the world seems to think he is keeping his word by awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize. What traits has President Obama shown in presenting a new type of American leadership to the world abroad?
Humility: President Obama Changed the Attitude in American Foreign Policy
After President Obama's speech in Cairo, NYPost writer Charles Hunt commented on the Obama's "trademark humility." The first thing President Obama has done to offer a new type of American leadership is to change the attitude towards the rest of the world. Instead of taking a unilateral, stand alone approach like his predecessor, Obama has chosen to engage the world through humility. By taking a humble attitude in American foreign policy, Obama has demonstrated a spirit of mutual cooperation with allies and foes alike.
Listener: President Obama Changed the Approach to American Foreign Policy
After President Obama met with Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, ABC News Senior Correspondent Jake Tapper commented about Obama going into the meeting as a listener. In this way, the second thing President Obama has done to offer a new type of American leadership is to change the approach towards the rest of the world. Instead of taking a position as the leader of the free world with all the answers, the first year Diplomat-in-Chief began his tenure in the White House as a listener and learner. He approached the leaders of other nations asking questions and listening to the answers. He has opened dialogues with allies and foes in order to gain better understanding and demonstrate a conciliatory stance of mutual cooperation with other foreign governments.
Reconciler: President Obama Changed the Actions in American Foreign Policy
The third thing President Obama has done to offer a new type of American leadership is to change presidential actions towards the rest of the world. Instead of acting as if America is the world's police force blindly administering judgment and justice, President Obama has sought to be a reconciler, bringing allies together in a tighter bond and approaching traditional foes with a new air of hope. This does not mean he has been blind or naive, but careful to think through how to address each international issue for the best possible result for America and the other nations involved.
In this way American President Barack Obama continues to woo the world and demonstrate a new form of American leadership.
Sources:
Hurt, C. (2009) Obama Butters Them Up in Cairo. NYPost.com.
Mahbubani, K. (2008). Fixing Uncle Sam's Image Problem. Newsweek International.Tapper, J. (2009). President Obama on Putin, "I Thought It Was Important to Listen." ABC News.com.
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