Friday, December 3, 2010

Change

This week we discussed change, and how to bring it about as a leader. As I think back on famous leaders and their plans for "change", I separate them into two separate categories: those who actually bring it and those you talk about it. In the 2008 Presidential Election, all Barack Obama talked about was "change". I'm not sure that he even knew what this meant! Some say the President had detailed proposals regarding Energy, Immigration, or Health Care when in reality he never did. Two years later, Obama's poll numbers have plummeted, and caused his party to lose the most Federal, State, and Local seats of any party in the last 80 years. Why is this? Because he failed to define the "change" he wanted to bring.

In the 2010 midterm elections, the Democrats saw their support among Independent voters drop by 12%. This drop is largely attributed to disappointment with the President's message. The slogan of "Change we can believe in" was a remarkable strategy to get elected. However, when it came to governing, the same ambiguity which helped him get elected, frustrated voters who all had a different view of what this "change" was. Leaders must be clear when presented a goal, and must present a goal which is attainable and measurable. If President Obama had said "Unemployment is a problem, this is what we're going to do about it...within one year we want the unemployment rate to drop to 7.5%, and then the following year dropping to 7%", there could have been better puiblic reception.

In my calling, I'd like to see Home Teaching improve dramatically. Last month were around 85%. While this is good, I believe we can do much better. We've made an effort to stress Home Teaching more this month, and hope to see our numbers exceed 90% this month, 95% for January, and 100% for February.

1 comment:

  1. I totally agree with you on Obama's fake "Change," there definitely was change later but in a negative way. That's great that you're looking at gradual goals from home teaching each month.

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