Leadership and The Ugly Middle
What happened to the leader so many believed in when he won the presidential election in 2008? Has Barack Obama lost his mojo as Bob Bennett suggests in his article in the Huffington Post?
There was so much dancing in the streets when this young, charismatic man showed his ability to mobilize his team and get the touchdown leading him to the White House. What happened?
In every relationship, in every new venture, there is a time when the bloom is off the rose. The big question is how this time of the “ugly middle” is handled. Obama seems to be on shaky ground these days, not sure which direction to take. His speeches seem wooden. He seems deflated.
There comes a time when even the most intelligent, the most well read, the most caring come to a dead stop, at least for a while. That is what we are experiencing now. This time of the “ugly middle” is the time of uncertainty, of confusion on which way to go. In this middle. one looks back and it is far away, too far to retreat. Yet, looking forward there is just a long path without clear signs on which way to go.
We all have our times in this uncomfortable place. This area is not reserved for high level leaders making policy decisions. It happens in every relationship when real change is required and we are not yet sure enough which way to go.
This could be a major time of teaching and learning for our whole country if Obama can be strong enough to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not something that is applauded in our society. Our country’s DNA is that of the strong, silent individual who wins through quiet and clever methods. John Wayne morphed into Clint Eastwood.
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