The starting premise for this post is that actions of purposeful servant leaders should be driven by vision (the first step in the Framework for Purposeful Action) and not by expectations of achieving goals (step 4) or of results (step 10 – where the arrow lands) or rewards (step 12).
In Volume 1, Issue 13 of the Brook of Life News, August 13, 2002 (some things do not change…) the following thoughts on vision and goals were published:
“I set goals but am not driven by them,” said the young woman.
“That makes no sense,” said the mature businessman. “Why set goals if you do not pursue them?”
“Goals are just milestones to evaluate the progress of your mission–towards your vision?” She replied.
“So, why are you not driven by your goals?” the man persisted.
“Because, I am driven by a commitment to my mission–which is to achieve my vision. If I were driven by goals, I would be tempted to manipulate in order to achieve them. This is the root cause of unethical actions we see today in politics and business.” She replied, with passion.
“You sound so idealistic.” He said with a knowing smile.
“I am practical,” She responded, “This is purposeful action.”
When you apply this young woman’s thinking to the actions of McCain, Clinton and Obama during the course of the recently ended election season, does some pattern emerge?
What can you learn about these three politicians by playing the BrookMaster Leadership Game, emulating each of them in turn?
Some issues and promises by Candidates:
- Subsidies for runaway gas prices
- Taxing exorbitant profits of oil companies
- Graduated income tax relief
- The financial bailout of Wall Street firms
- Personal attack ads
- Interjection of Joe the Plumber
- Wardrobe-gate
- Campaign financing
- Interjecting gender and race
- Interjecting fear and experience. or lack thereof
- Environment versus energy independence
- Defense, war and diplomacy
- Universal healthcare versus insurance subsidies
- Immigration
- Education
- Jobs
I believe that Obama has a vision. His vision is to punish the US for being the loan superpower in the world. Just through his dynamic personality he truly believes that he can solve the world’s problems and their will be peace. He has a vision to reshape capitolism in his image. The vision is to reshape the US. The goal was to be president, the only way he believes in listening to his speeches the redistribution of wealth can be accomplished. Clinton was also driven by vision. Her vision was to continue the Clinton name in the analogues of US history. To further influence US policy through a Clinton Presidency. Her goal was to strole into the whitehouse because she was a “Clinton.” Some would say I have a very distorted view of these two people. Their ambition should be the key to knowing both of their true intentions. McCain only saw an opportunity. Yeah he wanted to be President, who wouldn’t? He thought he had the best chance of doing it. He wanted governement to be less involved in people’s lives. His vision was for an America that did not need government taxes raised. I believe that McCain’s ambition to be President was because he wanted to return America to self determination, not government rules. No one will ever know how McCain would have run America. We will however see how Obama runs America. I believe that his vision for America is the wrong direction. We will see first hand how his goals translate into his vision. My personaly opinion, and everyone knows what those are worth, is that this country in 4 years will not be the same. I think that each of these people wanted power, I concur. The reason they wanted it however is very different. Their vision can only be achieved through the goal of the Presidency and the power assiciated with that position. We have 4 years. Time to hide your money!!!
Well said Roy. You are right, they all had a desire for power.
I believe that all three are driven by goals, and that goal is to be President of the United States. I believe they all wanted the “power” that goes along with the office they were running for.
They all made “promises” that they know they cannont keep
Good points Gabriel. I think you are right that the vision he presented to America was the vision of change. However, I believe that most, if not all, politicians are driven by more of a self-serving vision of being elected. I think they all just present the public with the perception of looking out for others first. I guess I should not stereotype but I think this is true for in most cases.
The impression that these politicians, and others like them, give is that they have a vision of improving the United States. In reality, they have what I would consider a goal rather than a vision – getting to the White House. They campaign and make big promises of all the ways they will “help” the American citizens but all those end up being broken promises. No matter which party you choose, this is true. It is clear when you listen to their campaign speeches because they change their story and promises based on who the audience of the speech is. Although we have not yet been able to see the actions of Obama, it will not be much different the other Presidents before him. The President only has so much power and ability to make changes. It requires all politicians in Washington to truly make a change. One could argue that the desire to reach the White House is a vision but I feel it is a goal the candidate is trying to achieve. I feel like this goal is a personal desire to better themselves in contrast to a vision to improve the lives of the citizens of the United States.
Obama is driven by a vision; He has the vision of change. However, he as proposed several objectives that he wants to accomplish, and he wants to make sure that actions are taken in the future to achieve these goals. For example, Obama wants to achieve energy independency in a period of 10 years. I think he can accomplish this only if he keeps using his strategy of understanding the globalized environment that we are living.
Obama used a unique strategy to win the election; he understood that in order to become a great leader you need to understand your followers. John McCain is an amazing leader, but he did not understand that America’s new face is not represented by Joe the plumber, America is represented by a growing unity among minorities. In addition, one of the best strategies that Obama applied was the use of technologies. The internet , face book , my space , blogs , and YouTube are some examples of the tool that Obama used to transmit a message to his followers and to gain more follower. He understood the positive core value of communication explained in the philosophy of the brook.