http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/08/michelle-obama-obesity-_n_820171.html?ir=Food
This article summarizes the campaign called "Let's Move!" started by first lady Michelle Obama. The campaign is meant to fight childhood obesity in the U.S. and get kids moving and eating healthy. I think that Michelle Obama demonstrates strong leadership characteristics by implementing this campaign. Mrs. Obama was able to see an issue that was quickly arising and made an effort to create change. Childhood obesity has been an ongoing issue for the last several years, but Michelle Obama is one of few trying to create a change effort. Instead of just reporting the facts about childhood obesity, she has created a plan to actually change and do something about the rising issue at hand.
I would say Mrs. Obama is demonstrating characteristics of the Path-Goal theory. She is motivating her followers (kids and families) to accomplish designated goals. She is trying to make the path to being healthy clear and easy by coaching and directing kids by educating them about making healthy choices when it comes to proper nutrition. Additionally, she is removing obstacles and roadblocks by working with food and beverage companies to lower their sugar and fat content and working with schools to provide healthy lunch options. Within the Path-Goal Theory, I believe Michelle Obama demonstrates two of the four leader behaviors (directive, supportive, participative, achievement-oriented). I believe that Obama demonstrates characteristics of a supportive leader, which entails being friendly and approachable, and attending to the well being of human needs. In order to promote the campaign, Obama has taken a friendly approach to reach out to the kids of America. The Let's Move website is very user friendly, allowing easy access and attainability. The facts presented to the kids, as well as their parents, is not overwhelming or complicated, giving Obama a an approachable feel. Additionally, this entire campaign demonstrates her concern for the well being of kids, following the characteristic listed in the supportive leader behavior. I also believe that Michelle Obama demonstrates an achievement-oriented leader behavior as well, which is described as the leader challenging their subordinates to perform work at their highest level possible. The Let's Move campaign is all about challenging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle and making the most out of their lives.
Do you think Obama becoming a directive leader will make the Let's Move campaign more effective? Also, Are there any suggestions you would make to Mrs. Obama if you could?
(Posted by: Kelly Yuen)
I think you provide wonderful evidence of Mrs. Obama's leadership style. It is evident that the path goal theory impacts the way she leads a group of people for the reasons that you mentioned in your blog. I would also argue that there exists some examples of power in her instance as well. The two bases of power present in this scenario are legitimate power and reward power.
ReplyDeleteLegitimate power comes into play from Michelle's high ranking position. Being married to the president creates a sense of trust and belief in the words merely from her title. That creates an opportunity for the leader to utilize this bond and power to gain some sort of action from the followers...in this case, leading a healthy lifestyle.
Reward power is a crucial factor in this example because Obama must explain why individuals should eat healthier and fight obesity. This power allows her to explain that by eating healthier, the kids will be more fit and able to engage in fun activities, while additionally maintaining high levels of self-esteem. This is a vital key, because it can strike motivation in the kids and cause them to act to achieve such rewards.
-Danny
Good points, Danny. I didn't think of the "reward" part of power being the health benefits of completing the challenge, but you're absolutely right.
ReplyDeleteThe Let's Move campaign website is actually pretty cool. Check it out here!
http://www.letsmove.gov/
(Posted by: Kelly Yuen)
I feel that being directive leader in this case could be helpful. Kids don't really have any idea about the effects of their actions or what they eat unless their parents have told them already. This is where directive leadership would help because she has the ability to provide guidance to both the adult and the child in any given situation and help to educate them about their health. Many families know little about health topics and a resource such as the Let's Move website can be very helpful in providing some info about health and nutrition. Kids, and sometimes adults, are commonly unaware of these things. Using her position, Michelle is able to be an authority in this sense and provide some much needed help to a lot of people.
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