Three people the next President of the United States should BELIEVE in!

C. Otto Scharmer
The next president should believe in C. Otto Scharmer. Scharmer is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has recently created and written about a new leadership theory and practice. This new paradigm of leadership, known as Presence or Theory U, revolutionizes the way individuals and organizations work towards their goals, visions, and dreams. Scharmer interviewed 150 leaders from all over the world and from all sectors of society. He found that these successful individuals operate from a 'different' place. They are guided by a deep sense of conviction and a commitment to living their values. Scharmer complied their responses and created a leadership model in order to help others be as grounded and successful as those individuals.

In short, this leadership model, this way of thinking and acting begins by asking us to reflect upon our situation or the task at hand. We should suspend our judgements in order to see from a 360 degree perspective. We then move into a purposeful opportunity to pause. In this moment, we should leave our comfortable environment (physically if possible) by taking a walk, or meditating, etc. This retreat is where we allow ourselves to let go of our ideas and thoughts and let come that which is supposed to be. These two steps are often forgotten by most leaders. Instead, actions upon actions are taken without any critical thinking. Another remarkable part of this theory and practice is that it is based on us creating personal space to open our mind, open our heart, and open our will. The last thing I find so remarkable about this theory, is that it asks participants who utilize it to understand who is my Self, and what is my Work. More information can be found at www.ottoscharmer.com
-jk

Himself
As I thought to myself about all the exemplary people in society, whether they be scientists, educators or nobel laureates, I could only think of one answer. The next President must believe in himself. Our nation is currently in a dilemma. I am not only referring to the market slump, but the United States is currently fighting two wars. In addition, our economy has taken a very large hit in the housing and job market and there is currently an energy crisis that could shape our society for the next 100 years. The next President will be surrounded by many bright and talented advisors, but at the end of the day it will be his decision when and if to leave Iraq. It will be his decision whether or not to inject the economy with a second surplus package. And it will be his decision to drill in our domestic waters or invest resources into alternative energy.

I think that the next president, no matter who it may be, will not do what is in the best interest of his political party, but what is in the best interest of man kind. He will have to believe, like many great American Presidents before him, that his decisions will be the right ones; no matter whether they reflect poorly or positively on his administration. In a time when high school students are unsure whether they will be able to afford college or when small business owners are afraid that they will be unable to make payroll, I believe that the next President, no matter what age, race or gender, will put Americans first; and politics second.
-ejm

Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett may ironically be the least greedy billionare on the face of the earth. Buffet was born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of a stockbroker and Congressman, he has become probably the world's most successful investor. Although it didn't reflect his family background, he delivered newspapers as a child to make extra money and made enough money to file a $7 tax return, deducting his watch and bicycle as business expenses. He then used those proceeds to purchase a small farm at age 14. This was one of the many seeds planted for the future success of Buffet.

His entrepreneurial nature as a young man has led him to become the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, originally started as a textile company and now a giant conglomerate investment vehicle of wholly owned subsidiaries focusing on a core business of insurance and ranging from candy manufacturers to utility companies- all of which have a long term investment horizon.
Buffet has an interesting determination to not only master business investing in a conservative fashion but to lead a simple life as ironic as that may sound considering he's among the world's wealthiest individuals. Among the companies he owns, he communicates with his CEO's once a year and tells them he has two rules for them- 1) don't lose any of their shareholder's money and 2) don't forget rule 1.

He doesn't endeavor to take huge risk on behalf of his stockholders- "I don't look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over." What if all presidents thought like this? That mentality is mirrored in his personal life where he still lives in the same small 3 bedroom house in mid-town Omaha, that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence. He owns the world's largest private jet company, but never flies on a private jet. He doesn't even own a cell phone nor does he socialize with the "high society crowd." His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch television.

He is also a philanthropist and continually preaches out to the business world, as well as individuals never to use public opinion as a measure of truth. The next president must be coherent of this idea and not abuse it. He encourages society to invest in themselves , both intellectually and financially. Buffet is the quintessential icon of excellence and his model, if envied by the next president can only lead to things good. The sound behavior and calm demeanor by which he lives should be followed by all of us. The ideals he leads and lives by stem from an incredible work ethic, undying aptitude for learning, and a keen vision for success. He believes in himself and his example speaks to all of us that there is possibility in everything and everyone if recognized.
"You do things when the opportunities come along. I've had periods in my life when I've had a bundle of ideas come along, and I've had long dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I'll do something. If not, I won't do a damn thing"