President-elect Barack Obama has repeatedly referred to his desire to select a 'Team of Rivals' for his cabinet, and after reports that Obama met with Hillary Clinton yesterday, it's rumored that she's in the running for Secretary of State.
An appointment to this coveted position would utilize Hillary Clinton's existing relationship with foreign leaders; it would also put her in a far greater position of legislative power than the vice presidency would have.
The secret meeting between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has not been confirmed or denied by either camp, and Clinton has deftly deflected questions towards Obama's transition team.
In a Boca Raton, Florida town hall meeting earlier this year, Obama alluded to Doris Kearns Goodwin's book "Team of Rivals," which discussed President Abraham Lincoln's decision to appoint all of his rivals to key positions in his cabinet. Since Lincoln is one of Obama's inspirations, it's feasible that he would follow in Abe's footsteps and appoint Hillary Clinton to a key cabinet position.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Team of Rivals
- The concept of selecting rivals to form a powerful team is gaining momentum in the political world.
- Utilizing Existing Relationships
- Utilizing pre-existing relationships can be a disruptive way to increase influence and power in a new position.
- Deflecting and Avoiding Confirmation
- The trend of avoiding confirmation or denial can create buzz and contribute to media coverage and public interest.
Where This Applies
- Politics and Government
- The political realm is ripe for disruption through innovative team-building strategies and the utilization of existing relationships.
- Media and Communications
- The trend of deflecting or avoiding confirmation can be disruptive to traditional media and communication practices, as it can increase media attention and engagement.
- Leadership Development and Coaching
- The concept of building a 'Team of Rivals' could be applied to leadership coaching and development, as it promotes collaboration and effective communication among diverse individuals.
