June 26, 2009
A recent article by leadership consultant John Baldoni presented effective explanation as an essential leadership skill. Quoting a former Bill Clinton aide, he referred to President Obama as "the Great Explainer."
According to Baldoni, Franklin Roosevelt was another leader who mastered the power of explanation when he compared the Lend Lease program of aid to Britain to "lending a garden hose to a neighbor trying to put out a house fire." (Great metaphor!)
Another quote from the article:
"What does it mean and why are we doing it are critical questions that every leader must answer with straightforward explanations."Motivating crowds who understand must certainly be easier than motivating crowds who don't. Perhaps leaders should look into explanatory video as a tool to give people "a reason for action."