HSM

 (Por Susan Copperman via HSM USA Blog)

Leaving politics aside, Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention transcends politics and is one in which we, as active participants in the world of business, can find resonance.

Through her words, Michelle Obama reminds us of the concepts upon which America, and by extension our beliefs about commerce and free markets, was founded — the promises and ideals that have attracted so many from around the globe who wish to live or at least do business in and with the United States of America. Shouldn’t Michelle Obama’s ideas be timeless concepts that extend into the future? Shouldn’t they be daily precepts by which we work and live? In case you did not tune in, Michelle Obama’s vision is for the following:

* A country which encourages and makes quality education available to all
* A country in which equal opportunity exists for all
* A country which rewards and values hard work and ethical behavior
* A country which cares for its children and fulfills the obligation to prepare tomorrow’s leaders today
* A country in which people are treated fairly and humanely at work, at home and in routine comings and goings throughout the day
* A country in which stong family values, love and support, regardless of the family structure, are the norm and the expectation

Michelle Obama reminds us that before we can fix the government and fix the world, perhaps we should take a look at ourselves. In these turbulent, volatile and insecure times, as Americans survey the domestic landscape, our place within the international arena, and perceptions of us from around the globe, Michelle Obama, though not a simple woman by any stretch of the imagination, causes at least one American to stop and think about the basic and rather simple things that our country is supposed to stand for.
As a life long “student” of management content and best leadership practices, Michelle Obama’s remarks motivated me to reflect upon the way in which fundamental management truths are concepts that should cross over into the way in which we, collectively, live our everyday lives.

In doing so, we can begin to think about how to regain the respect and admiration of our peers around the globe. In the challenging times in which we are living today, I suggest that we take a page from the playbooks of some foremost management thought leaders:

“Execution” - Larry Bossidy says that execution is the “discipline of creating, energizing, and sustaining an integrated business system for actually getting things done”. Larry says that when times are tough, winners need to get “back to basics” and focus on execution.

“Authentic Leadership” - Bill George talks about the importance of getting to know, understand, and follow one’s own internal compass. While it is easy to get off course, Bills says that authentic leaders are able to get back on course and en route to accomplish their objectives.

“Built to Last” - Jim Collins research proves that “Built to Last” companies can be structured to prosper over time and into the future.

Team Building - Patrick Lencioni talks about building winning teams around collective “rallying cries”.

The list goes on and on, but the point is that without a foundation and a mission, no entity, be it a country, government or a business, can maximize its potential. Rather than think of Michelle Obama’s speech as political oratory, we suggest it be viewed as words upon which to reflect and consider as the basis for the way in which we should live our lives, both individually and collectively as a player within the flat and global marketplace of today and tomorrow.