How To Lead the Free World Using YouTube

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Did you know that President Obama gives weekly national addresses… on YouTube?

Many “in the know” believe that Obama won the presidency, in part, to his savvy use of social media. His campaign motivated the masses to stand up and take part and be known. In turn, President Obama has paved the way for an “open White House” in terms of accessibility and information sharing.

Say what you want about his politics, but in my opinion there has never been a President who has had the same level of accessibility as Obama. Today, at 11:30am CST, President Obama will hold the fourth press conference of his administration, more than any other President at this point in his term. Politics aside, one can see Obama wants the American people to hear something from him, even if some don’t agree with it.

That’s smart. President Obama understands that social media is “flattening” the playing field. If you’re not divulging the information that people want to know, someone is. Just ask the “leaders” of Iran. Information is like water, it will take the path of least resistance and take the form of whatever container it fills. That’s why the government of Iran is having fits over a social media site developed by two Californians called “Twitter.” Simply fascinating.

What can we learn from Obama? From Iran?

  • For starters, your organization no longer holds the reigns.
  • You no longer get to control “where the water flows,” but you can influence it. This is what President Obama does so brilliantly: Instead of allowing other people to speak on his behalf, inevitably misquoting him, he simply addresses the situation himself. Brilliant. This way he sets the pace, the “flow,” of information, not someone else. Sure, people will twist his words and take them out of context, but it will be at their own peril.
  • Someone is speaking on your behalf, either for the good or for the bad. Wouldn’t you like to be in on the conversation?

As a public service, here’s President Obama’s latest address from YouTube. You can check out his channel here. Enjoy, be informed, and let the river flow:

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Contributor: Justin Wise

I am a religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with my wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Find more here: JustinWise.me
  • Ben
    I would suggest that the overinfatuation or slobbering love affair everyone has with President Obama will wither and you will realize that he too is flawed. I worry that we are buying into charisma more than substance and that is what President Obama is banking on. If it looks good, people will eat it, even if they don't know what they are eating.

    I agree that he has masterfully used social media to his advantage but let's not confuse that for a new wave of openness into the White House, that is simply a charade.
  • Ben
    Justin,

    I think you missed this one completely. Politics is a game and to state that President Obama has "paved the way for an "open White House" in terms of accessibility and information sharing," would be completely inaccurate.

    President Obama is a master at charismatic politics or "smoke and mirror" politics. He has the ability to present one thing to make you think you are getting deep and accessible but instead they are putting on a show. It is a mindgame that many people use to enforce personal boundaries.

    In fact, the recent NBC and ABC interviews all were inside the White House but the only reason they were granted access was if they touted his health care program and had no opposition. That isn't openness.
  • Inaccuarate to whom? You or me?

    You may state that for yourself, but not for me.

    I find myself engaged with the White House and presidency like I never have before. I feel more connected to this President than any prior, simply because, as I stated in the post, there are more connection points. That, to me, is an "open White House."
  • Ben
    then we get to agree to disagree. =)

    Just because there are more means of communication doesn't meant the substance being communicated is anymore transparent or effective.

    Anyway, good blogs, that's why I read them.
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