McCain, Obama and the Value of Authenticity
Professionally speaking, I grew up in the world of financial services. In that world, experience teaches
you to ignore anyone who says, “This time it’s different” as an explanation for
why a stock won’t go down, why a market won’t correct, or why we’ll never see another
bear market again. I am always suspicious of “this time it’s different.” But, that
said, our world does evolve, which is why we don’t deliver our mail by horse anymore.
As I watch the Republican and Democratic primaries, I am struck by how the flow
of information has changed the world of politics. As much as it pains me to say it,
the 2008 election might actually be different.
Traditionally, the key to the castle in modern politics has always been the ability
to control the message and “spin” effectively. In today’s world,
however, human beings have more access to more information and more access to each
other than ever before. Everyone, it seems, has a blog to go along with their opinion,
making it more and more challenging to control the message. As I think about this
new reality, I now believe that the greatest asset in today’s political world
has become authenticity and the ability to understand and connect with your audience
in a genuine way.
It is clear to me, as I watch John McCain and Barack Obama gather momentum daily
as the frontrunners of both of their parties, why they seem to be connecting to voters.
I believe it is because they are comfortable being themselves and don’t seem
to be trying to control what the audience thinks. When I hear Senator McCain speak
I do not hear someone who is following the contemporary Republican playbook
or bowing to the religious right. Rather, I hear someone who is completely comfortable
with who he is and letting you see it.
Likewise, when I hear Senator Obama speak, I hear an inclusive message that is inspiring,
not one that has been mall-tested and focus-group approved.
Can McCain completely ignore the right wing of his party? Of course not. Does Obama
test his lines and run focus groups? Of course he does. But the point is that when
they speak they sound more authentic than any of their rivals have sounded, and the
audience seems to feel like they are getting the real deal.
I see this year’s primary season, for both the Republicans and the Democrats,
as one that has rewarded clarity of message, but perhaps more importantly, authenticity
of candidate. If I were to rate all the legitimate candidates on the authenticity
meter, McCain and Obama would easily exceed all their rivals.
The lesson for all would-be leaders is a simple one. Your audience, your constituency,
your “electorate” if you will, is more informed than ever before. The
people whom you hope to lead have access to plenty of information, and rapid-fire
methods of sharing it. If you want to earn the respect of the people around you,
tell it like it is, be entirely authentic, and be as inclusive as possible. That
approach seems to be succeeding with these two candidates, and I believe it will
be successful for all aspiring leaders as well.
My fingers ache as I type the words “this time it’s different.” But
this time, I think it really is. Spin just isn’t enough, and the world has
evolved to where authenticity appears to be winning the day.
Dean M. Brenner
February 22, 2008
Wallingford, CT
 Beacon Issue -
March 2008
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