President Obama ushered in his tenure of leadership with significant reforms in the healthcare industry. He was determined to reshape and refine the medical sector in the United States. The former commander in chief influenced healthcare regulations and proposed essential medical innovations such as Medicaid and Obamacare. He thus serves as the embodiment of a successful leader in the healthcare industry and the United States. This essay assesses the leadership values, characteristics, and styles of President Obama with regards to the DISC profile. What leadership insights has he left for those who are willing to take up his mantle in the future?
(First example) When President Obama took up the leadership of America, he was determined to make fundamental adjustments in the healthcare system to offset the long standing challenges. Most aspects of the medical sector were wasteful, unfair, unaffordable, and uncertain. He thus created the Affordable Care Act otherwise referred to as the Obamacare to generate reforms that could assist in curbing the rising expenses of quality healthcare, the expanding consumer rights and protections, and the insurance costs. The ACA had a vivid focus to transform the medical sector which it did despite several difficulties and critics along the way (Kantarjian, 26). Millions of individuals who were once uninsured now have access to high-quality and affordable healthcare. Hence, it is safe to assume that President Obama is a good example of a successful leader. First and foremost, he was a visible leader who had a deep concern for the public. Obama was also influential and ready to take the lead when it comes to important issues in the United States. He was willing to make hard choices for the benefit of the country. Evidently, President Obama was decisive and could easily get things done based on the example of the Affordable Care Act (Kantarjian, 27).
The DISC profile would assert that President Obama should be classified in the high dimension level. He took action to acquire his campaign goals particularly in transforming the medical sector. Obama was also consistent in his leadership in a predictable manner. Hence, he was dominant and steady. President Obama also possessed several strengths such as decisiveness, realistic, persuasiveness, influential, change-oriented, active, amongst others (Hawes 5). He was a transformative and charismatic leader who attracted the attention of American citizens to work towards common directives (Cocowitch et al 16).
(Second example) Probably, Obama’s greatest trait was the global-cross-cultural leadership. Unlike other presidents before him, he thought of the United States as a whole or unit without considering or elevating certain groups. The same leadership trait can be seen in the way he handle international matters such as the conciliatory efforts amongst Russia, China, and the Middle East. Additionally, Obama was contingent responding to various circumstances differently. Personally, I possess some of the leadership styles, characteristics, and values of President Obama. From his charismatic leadership to his ability to champion changes (Azar and Ali 4). In more ways than one, I find it difficult to reconcile a group of individuals. But with the right set of skills from the DISC profile, building relationships with other is going to be in my fingertips. However, this does not mean that even with the appropriate character and leadership skills that one will not face opposition. Many people were skeptic about the Affordable Care Act when it emerged. There are still many critics who believe that it has not helped Americans. However, there are many individuals who have been empowered by the ACA and with the right adjustments it will reach out to more people. Leadership effectiveness is thus focusing on making exceptional decisions and ones that will affect the population or organization positively (Azar and Ali 4). It is also about drawing the attention and interests of team members by seeking a common ground which I will strive to do once I get a leadership position.
Works Cited
Azar, Farbod Ebadifard, and Ali Sarabi Asiabar. "Does leadership effectiveness correlates with leadership styles in healthcare executives of Iran University of Medical Sciences." Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran 29 (2015): 166.
Cocowitch, Vic, et al. "Reframing leadership development in healthcare." OD Practitioner 45.3 (2013): 10-18.
Hawes, Latoya. DISC. Baltimore: Laureate Education Inc., 2017.
Kantarjian, Hagop M. "The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, 3 years later: A reality check." Cancer 123.1 (2017): 25-28.
