Greetings from Chicago.

This is a new era, and a discussion of our nation's new President Elect, his message and the success of his campaign  is the most important thing we can talk about together in service of becoming the best leaders we can be in this Age of Interdependence. These issues transcend party lines, and go to the heart of engaging those around us to address significant upheval from a positive perspective.

Barack Obama is a candidate who has tapped into the key messages of Smarter, Faster, Better leadership; that leaders of the future are able to ask questions, to empower others, and to look for positivity and opportunity. They inspire hope rather than fear, and lead based on a focus of becoming "better with" others rather than "better than" others.  His campaign was successful based on this philosophy, and we as business leaders have a lot to learn from this unlikely candidate:

1.) Don't demonize your competition.To the frustration and discomfort of many Americans, Obama refused to focus on the problems of his opponent, and demonstrated during debates his agreement with John McCain. What a shock, aligning with shared beliefs, showing similarities and areas of agreement! In both candidates speeches of the night of November 4th a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration for the betterment of the whole permeated the night, and the opportunity for working together rather than against each other seemed palpable.

2.) Surround yourself with smarts. The ingenious nature of the internet based Obama campaign was the product of a team of very smart people who's job was to come up with a new kind of voter outreach. Suddenly smart people were coming out of the woodwork to help, because they were asked to. Which leads me to the focus on empowerment.

3.) Empower others.  People want to contribute. They want to be a part of something greater than themselves. As we lead our organizations, remember that your message with be received by your direct reports and your teams when you establish that you trust them to do the job, and you have high expectations.
The campaign was successful in empowering people across the country to feel a sense of ownership and personal responsibility for our country's future, specifically by setting the expectation that through hard work they would prevail. 

4.) Focus on "We" versus "Me". Share the burden and the responsibility.  Many great leaders, Lincoln, FDR, Winston Churchill, have asked for their citizens to get ready to sacrifice for the greater good. Great leaders don't (and can't) stand alone.

5.) Strive to be Better With versus Better Than.  I leave you with a quote from our President Elect on the night of November fourth, 2008:

"So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other."

If we look at this quote and think of how our businesses would benefit from such a message, how we have an opportunity now like no other. It is the opportunity to create community and commitment in our organizations. It is the opportunity to create a new, healthy economy where we use our gifts and talents to change the world for the better.

Imagine that our organizations become centers of a new kind of excellence, loyalty, and contribution, where employees and employers feel a sense of purpose and collaboration, where they know they are valued and valuable to society.

This is what I'm working for, and I know you are too. Thanks to all of you. As you work toward a positive future, remember your own resilience, your ability to take change in stride, to bounce back from hardship and retain your hope.

Karlin Sloan
CEO
Karlin Sloan & Company