Comments on: Experience VS. Energy and Inspiration

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:07:48 +0000

Darlene, you may be right that neither Hillary or Obama may have the experience to step into the job “on day one”. And I think you’re definitely correct in saying a job usually looks easier when you’re an outside observer. Whoever wins the presidential election will have to be a quick study – he or she is bound to be in for a challenging four years. I think most Americans know this and that’s why this election is generating so much interest.

By: Darlene McDaniel

Darlene McDaniel — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:48:25 +0000

Hey Brad, Thank you for visiting Interview Chatter. What a powerful comment. I truly appreciate you beginning the dialog on this topic. I do agree with you that an effective leader needs both experience and energy.

The place I don’t agree with you as much is the experience of Hillary Clinton. I see both her and Obama in the same place. She has seen more and she certainly has been effective in her role as Senator, but that oval office they are vying for…; I am not sure either of them truly understand the depth of experience they need to walk into the position prepared to handle whatever major issues this country faces on January 20, 2009. Who can prepare for that? How does one get the experience? It can’t be from observation. If so, she beats Obama hands down. She has certainly been there. But think about your own work experience. I don’t know you but I suspect you have been around for longer than a minute. I am sure you have been in a job where you thought, I could do that job better than my boss. And then one day you get promoted and all of a sudden your perspective changes. It’s one thing to see the job, the duties, the issues from a subordinate role, it is another thing entirely to be in the position and the buck stops with you – you are accountable.

Your thoughts are welcome!!

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:53:34 +0000

Whether experience or energy is more important depends on the job. For the President of the United States, I want to see LOTS of BOTH. You need energy to build consensus and make things happen. But without experience, a leader may be quite effective in making the wrong things happen. That’s dangerous. I am a fan of neither Clinton nor Obama, but Clinton definitely has experience in terms of having deep political connections, knowing how politics works, knowing how to get things done. Besides what she learned as First Lady, she has been an effective U.S. Senator from a major state. Her energy seem up and down to me, but she does have quite a few enthusiastic supporters. Some may like Obama strictly for his energy, which is inspiring, but his lack of experience makes him an extremely risky choice.