There has been a lot of buzz about here in Canada about Obama paying us a visit. It's tradition that Canada is the first foreign country a new US President visits. (Bush went to Mexico - but he doesn't really count) . So tomorrow, on Feb. 19 Barack Obama will meet with our own Stephen Harper for a few hours. No fancy state dinner, no address to Parliament, likely just casual chat over a couple of Tims. (maybe they'll try their new green tea and trail mix cookie)
I do not believe the two Men have met in person before, so it should be interesting to see how Canada / US relations evolve. It also got me thinking about ways our own Stephen Harper could be more like Obama. And really, things we could all learn as well. So here's my top 5 list.
5 Ways Stephen Harper could be more like Barack Obama:
1. Be more real.
When you see Obama you get the sense he's being himself. In speeches, interviews, and with his family, Obama is himself. That "realness" comes across. With Harper you get a feeling he is playing a role. Acting like what he thinks a PM should act like. Obama is folksy, even tempered and says things like "at home his wife is in charge". Harper comes across as plastic, forced and robotic like. Stop it Stephen. Be yourself in out out of Parliament and people will like you more.
2. Be a leader.
A leader is someone people want to follow. Harper is certainly not that for most Canadians. A leader makes decisions after taking in the best information from all sources and sides. Then they make a decision based on what they believe is best for the country. Not the party. If you look after Canada - Canadians will look after you. Obama understand leadership and seems to naturally have that quality. People are buying what Obama is selling. Part of being a good leader is admitting when you are wrong. Obama acknowledged recently that he had "made a mistake" in trying to exempt some candidates for positions in his administration from strict ethics standards and accepted the withdrawal of two top nominees. Can you imagine that in Canada.
3. Have a vision.
Obama is all about Hope and Change. Exactly what people want right now. Harper is about keeping his job and staying in power. Not much of a vision. It's hard to get behind a person who doesn't have a big picture of a better world they are going to bring. It's not hard --- pick something. Going to the moon, renewable energy, a bigger-brighter future type of stuff.
4. Connect with people
Barack Obama and his team were masters of connecting with Americans during the campaign -- and since he has come to office, that communication has continued - especially through social media. I even got an email last night after he signed the big economic bill inviting me to a web site to track where the money is going. Harper? Well he has a twitter account during the campaign that was poor at best and has since been just as weak in my opinion. Get out there Mr. Harper and start communicating relevant messages in the ways people want to be communicated with. The model is there, use it.
5. Embrace rivals and different opinions
Obama understands that having a room full of "yes-men" is not going to make decisions any easier. He embraces rivals like Clinton (naming Clinton to be his secretary of state)McCain and others to help forge a new way in Washington. We had our ill-fated coalition -- but the motivation there was totally different. Broaden your horizons Harper and get more non-like-minded people on your team. We'd all be better off.
So welcome President Obama to Canada and here's hoping a little of what you have to offer rubs off on Prime Minister Stephen Harper --- and a bit on the rest of us as well.
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