FIVE LESSONS

You can’t turn a corner without bumping into an election post mortem. My recent favorite is HR guru Liz Ryan’s lessons for managers in her Nov. 11th Businessweek column. (Muchas gracias!) She points out that Barack Obama's political organization “built and sustained an impressive level of coordination, communication with supporters, and thoughtful media relations that observers say has set a new standard for campaign leadership in the 21st century.” Can we do the same for our organizations?

Her top five leadership lessons are as pertinent for fundraisers and non-profit managers as for corporate execs. Here they are:

1. Don't skimp on infrastructure.

The technical, logistical, and on-the-ground organizational structure of the Obama campaign enabled the broad-scale "civilian" donation efforts, virtual-phone-bank program, and other just-in-time human and financial contributions that continued right up through poll-closing time on Election Day. Managers who focus on a robust, flexible business infrastructure built on sturdy mechanical and technical platforms and supported by clear, logical processes don't end up having to waste time patching holes and fighting fires….

2. Keep the mission top-of-mind.

Daily crises can make it easy for a leader to take his or her eye off the ball. The Obama campaign stuck fast to its mission of spreading the message of change, even when tempting opportunities to veer off-topic presented themselves (the temptation of slamming John McCain's choice of running mate, for example). It paid off well for the campaign to stick to its game plan….

3. Fight the right battles.

The economic crisis threw an enormous monkey wrench into the campaign process in September, and it's clear that Obama's decision to stick to his campaign efforts throughout a week of tumult in Washington was the right one….

4. Make every person count.

Organizational leaders proclaim—but don't often enough build into their management practices—the notion that every person on the team is important. The Obama campaign's emphasis on small donors and small acts of volunteerism won the day for the Democrats. In this election cycle, Americans for the first time opened their e-mail in-boxes to see what looked like personal messages from the candidate. That seemingly personal connection and easy access to concrete action (via Donate Now and Volunteer Now buttons) made it simple for people to act on their beliefs.

5. Keep your cool.

… cool prevailed as Obama's opponent seemed to become more biting and curmudgeonly at each public appearance, raising questions about his leadership capabilities in a crisis. Given the nature of some of the slurs repeated about Obama … angry responses would have been understandable, albeit unwise. Could you let an onslaught of personal remarks slide? If the game is won, the personal slurs amount to little or nothing.

Share this with your colleagues. And, may your organization and our country become as well-oiled a machine as Obama’s presidential race.