Raising a toast to Michelle Obama on her 53rd birthday

“Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond, that you do what you say you’re going to do. That you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t agree with them.”– Michelle Obama

With over 2,00,000 followers on her twitter account, the first African-American first lady, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, is a public sensation who has mesmerised everyone with her flawless style, personal integrity, hard work, and kindness.

A lawyer, writer, and mother, she has been active in different leadership roles throughout her life. With her beaming smile and positive image, she has not only won the hearts of the citizens of America but of the entire world.

We should all take a leaf out of her book and follow these leadership lessons.

Be a decision maker

Michelle Obama is an excellent decision maker. She is constantly thorough, utilises her time efficiently, and is fiercely determined. Although her position requires her to fulfil multiple roles, she still manages to have time for family while making decisions and taking the centre stage.

Family is important to her. At the White House, dinner is always at 6.30 pm, and the President has to have it with the family no matter what. They allow their children to have their share of fun like others their age. Michelle is determined that her daughters grow up to be practical in spite of the limelight, an inspiration to parents everywhere.

Communicate effectively

Leadership doesn’t only mean preaching but also practising what one preaches. Effective leaders communicate clearly by taking action. Michelle Obama has inspired people through her speeches and set examples through campaigns and community programmes.

Be relatable and allow people to identify with you

A good leader is one who is relatable and affable. By spreading messages related to health, child obesity, and women’s education, among others, she has understood people and relates to them.

Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have been leading a campaign called Joining Forces to encourage companies and businesses to employ war veterans. This is to tell people not to forget about these veterans and to help them in a practical way.

Good leaders find time for themselves

Michelle Obama has always emphasised the importance of taking care of oneself first. Be it waking up in the morning to exercise or pampering yourself once in a while, it isn’t possible to serve others till you serve yourself. She herself wakes up at 4.30 in the morning. According to her, people readily set time aside time for work or for their kids, but when it comes to themselves, they tend to think otherwise. So why not start with yourself today?

Leaders never stop growing

In a conversation with Oprah, she once said, “I used to hate the question, ‘What do you want to become when you grow up?’ because it assumes that at some point you stop growing and you just are something.” She believes that there is always a scope for more and that there isn’t any end to the journey wherein we learn.

These leadership qualities are common among several authoritative individuals today. However, it is how you utilise these qualities in activities that you truly believe in that makes all the difference.

America’s President Obama once stated, “Some may dispute the quality of our president, but nobody disputes the quality of our first lady.”

He sure was right. Happy birthday, Michelle!