The 21st century democratization of information via the internet means that no nation, organization, or individual can make convincing claims to "the truth." Rather, the proliferation of the internet has created an increasingly diverse network of open systems that have enabled individuals worldwide to access information and interact directly with one another.
The new status quo is characterized by globalization and digitalization, which are re-imaging political, social, and international relations. As people from all nations and all walks of life feel free to express their opinions and desires -- their truth, in other words -- top-down, prescriptive leadership just does not work any more. This context gave rise to the demand for a new kind of leader who is skilled at integrating factions and fragments into a whole that can appeal to all the people. U.S. President Barack Obama was elected because he found a way to unite Americans with wildly varying points of view by inviting all voices and awakening idealism. He did this by emphasizing the transcending value of community in all its diversity.
What`s different about Obama`s leadership?
Well, the main thing is that he listens, thinks things through, and synthesizes. An analysis of his public statements and writing reveals a leadership style that can be described as deliberative, thoughtful, collaborative, transformational, authentic, pragmatic, and integrating. These qualities have been apparent in his leadership from his early community organizing days in Chicago to his presidency today.
Throughout the past 20 years as a community organizer, editor of "Harvard Law Review," a civil rights lawyer, state senator, and senator, Obama has learned how to listen, read "space," and hear what is unspoken but nonetheless real. Based on his superb listening, he has long been able to recognize real issues and glimpse hope and vision in a way that invigorates people and gives them hope.
In his book, "The Audacity of Hope" Obama weighed in on his strategies for running for the U.S. Senate in 2004 after a major setback in 2001. He said "Whether people were friendly, indifferent, or occasionally hostile, I tried my best to keep my mouth shut and hear what they had to say. I listened to people talk about their jobs, their anger, their businesses. No blinding insights emerged from these conversations." He was able to get connected and empathetic by listening to the public mind, convinced that he couldn`t be politically insightful in the absence of genuine conversation.
Daniel Goleman, author of "Emotional Intelligence" and professor of Harvard University, says emotional intelligence is the No. 1 attribute needed to lead effectively in the 21st century. Emotional intelligence includes a bundle of qualities based on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and social management. In a nutshell, an emotionally intelligent leader knows himself and knows how to manage his impulses and resources. He is has empathy for others` feelings and needs, and knows how to inspire and motivate effectively.
Obama serves as a template for emotionally intelligent political leaders. Thanks to his self awareness and self management, Obama is sensitive, flexible, charming, thoughtful and believable. He excels at the "leadership from within" that author David Gegan puts forth as the primary virtue for a successful presidency in his book, "Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership Nixon to Clinton."
Motivation and empathy are what is most engaging about Obama. He is among the world`s greatest inspirational speakers ever. In this era of so many media, there is a big difference between leaders who prescribe and leaders who relate. Being inspiring is not about being persuasive. As newsman Edward R. Murrow once said, "To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful."
And it feels like Obama is telling the truth as he sees it while acknowledging that others have "truths" that are equally valid to them. In the course of leading the conversation, Obama has become a compelling leader because the audience feels his understanding, sincerity, and respect for them rather than his persuasive power. Understanding this process can teach much to politicians seeking to retool their approach for an era where prescriptive or authoritarian leadership no longer works and the ability to facilitate good conversation is highly prized. We hope that Korea will see as many great leaders as ones who practice democratic conversationalism in any arguments and discussions so that they can invite other people into various circumstances.

Kim Hyun-sook is a Korea Leadership Center translator and facilitator. She can be reached at hssocool@gmail.com