Introduction
The forty-fourth President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., was regarded as one of the world’s top leaders. He was the country’s first African American president. The main reason why many see him as an inspiration is that he was the first person of color to hold the office of president, but there is so much more to him and what he accomplished for our nation. Obama overcame and realized his aim of serving as president of the United States despite being undervalued due to his color and many other factors. The biographical information will be offered in this essay, together with an explanation of why he was regarded as a good leader.
Discussion
There were not many mixed-race households like those that Barack is growing up in Hawaii. Barack graduated from Harvard Law School and Columbia University after leaving Hawaii for college. Obama began working as a community organizer in Chicago following his college graduation. There, he first met Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, whom he would later wed (Ikediugwu). Malia, born in 1998, and Natasha, also known as Sasha, who was born in 2001, were the couple’s two daughters (Ikediugwu). In 1996, Barack was chosen to represent Illinois in the state senate, a position he held for eight years (Ikediugwu). Obama was elected to the US Senate from Illinois in 2004 with an unprecedented margin of victory. Obama announced his presidential bid in February 2007 (Ikediugwu). Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former US first lady, and senator from New York at the time, lost a tight election to Obama for the Democratic Party. McCain, the Arizona senator at the time, lost to Obama in the presidential election of 2008 (Ikediugwu).
Obama had many difficulties as soon as he came to office. The economy was in a recession, and George W. Bush’s administration, which preceded Obama’s, had started a contentious “bail-out” plan to provide financial relief to struggling financial institutions. Obama had to deal with international issues while American troops were still fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. How Obama ended the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was unpopular with many former presidents. Obama worked with Congress during his first two years in office to strengthen the economy, pass a law reshaping health care, and withdraw 75% of the US military from Iraq (Ikediugwu). Obama spent significant time and political energy arguing with the Republicans on taxes, budgets, and the deficit when the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2010 (Ikediugwu). Obama used his second administration to focus on passing legislation for immigration reform and gun control after winning his second election in 2012 (Ikediugwu). Obama was unable to accomplish one of these. After his second term expired on January 20, 2017, Obama then left his presidency 2017 (Ikediugwu).
Today’s leaders possess the necessary knowledge and abilities, but many lack the necessary behaviors. Barack Obama reportedly has an appealing personality, which has helped him draw domestic and international attention. This quality served him well during the campaign since it made it easier for him to win over supporters—some of his detractors could not help but admire him—and inspire them to take action to support the greater good. His entire campaign served as a textbook example of establishing trust with almost every American citizen eligible to vote, connecting with him effectively, and winning his support (Ikediugwu). Moreover, for this reason, he easily won both the 2008 and 2012 elections (Ikediugwu). He also spoke to a big audience more effectively than any other leader. He is regarded as one of the best orators in American presidential history who can hold an audience’s attention. Furthermore, because of his close ties to the black community and his ability to speak on racial issues without seeming to be speaking primarily for black people.
Conclusion
Barack Obama is a leader of the highest caliber because he can effectively communicate with any individual, organization, or audience, regardless of background, age, ethnicity, or gender. He deserves all the kudos for being a model citizen who has mastered the art of communication in this regard. Barack Obama was a role model for good leadership, not just among Americans but also among citizens from other countries.
Work Cited
Ikediugwu, Ogechukwu A. “The Hero, Barack Obama, and His Uniqueness: A Study of the Audacity of Hope.” Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa 10.1 (2019): 163-186.