Have you ever imagined what would happen if your president, let’s take Mariano Rajoy as an example, played the Galician bagpipes at “La Moncloa” in a Celtic music event? Could you tell me if it would be consider politically correct?
Which type of coaching process and methodology needs a politician for his improvement and personal development to deal with his daily public problems? And playing this role with an absolutely charming and smiling face?
On last Tuesday night, the American audience could appreciate the Obama’s singing voice when he sang “Sweet Home Chicago” at a White House tribute concert to blues music. He could not resist paying tribute to his hometown. He is really an expert on personal coaching in every sphere of live.
Once the president and the first lady were announced, they walked through the cheering guests as a band played the organ-heavy “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the M.G.’s. They had invited several music legends, as part of celebrations for Black History Month, and Obama joked after taking a podium and say that everybody was very welcoming.
“You know, one of the things about being president is that some nights when you want to go out and just take a walk to clear your head, or jump into a car just to take a drive, you can´t do it. Secret Service won´t let you, and that’s frustrating. But then, there are other nights when B.B.King and Mick Jagger come to your house. That even things out a little bit”.
This performance took place just after a week since he said he would not be making anymore-public appearances in case it lost him votes. But Barack Obama had managed to forget the race for the White House, when accepted the microphone from Sir Mick Jagger and proved himself to be the King of Karaoke in a cameo with that two sing-stars. Moreover, he told the audience gathered there “As we celebrate Black History Month, the blues reminds us that we´ve been through tougher times before”.
At the beginning of the show he had taken a moment to give some history on the blues. A kind of music with humble beginnings – roots in slavery and segregation, and a society that rarely treated black Americans with the dignity and respect that they deserved. He continued saying that ‘this music spoke to something universal’ and closed with a lesson to be learned for everyone. “Even as we confront the challenges of today, we imagine a brighter tomorrow, saying, and ‘I can do it’.
Obama is clearly an authentic professional using coaching techniques based on his complete self-knowledge to achieve effectiveness and well being in his results, also to release from the beliefs limiting him. It directly links him with his values, for example his charisma and awareness of body language. As a good communicator he has a good sense of humour, he is not a rambler and doesn’t get easily side-tracked. He has an attractive appearance and is well dressed. Also, he is sensitive to people from other cultures, etc.
In spite of some critics related to Barack Obama’s public behaviour, which are focusing more on the time that is taken away from the job to practice, and the risk of his repertory choice might be scrutinized, every presidential act is symbolic. Then, if the president shows an interest in music, it will humanize the chief executive and will claim a connection to culture and emotion.
Regardless of their different personalities, politicians as dignitaries need to be good communicators, developing different techniques in personal coaching to increase their self-confidence, and build their own sense of self-respect. Obama has developed a perfect self-control, self-confident and self-esteem, based on a lot of self-discipline. Probably, if politicians made things easy, and people were allowed to play a decisive role in having their goals, they would gain more credibility. It´s very important for politicians to achieve a real change into a positive mental attitude. Sometimes“ actions speak louder than words”.
By Mabel Gómez – Lawyer and Coach at MCHI (Magna Coaching High Institute
