Leadership. Live it.

“The world of candidates, divides into two candidates: People who run for office because they want to be something, which is the more numerous category, and people who run for office because they want to do something.” 

This is how David Axelrod, former Sr. Advisor to the President, described why he wanted to wanted to be part of Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign and what prompted me to write this blog. I wanted to understand why we can be more motivated to support another person’s goals than we can our own. And, as I started to think back to the people I admire the most and who have inspired me to act, I recognized a pattern in the traits they best represented. They all had this one thing in common; they led the movement, they didn't stand behind it. 

We’ve long admired civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, who faced the dangers of being a visible activist during a time where very few leaders would have taken on that role. King’s desire to pursue non-violent tactics for civil resistance was highly influenced by Ghandi, another leader who was known for persuading millions into peaceful protest.

One of the elements that these two leaders share is their ability to inspire people to take risks for a greater goal. From the Ghandi followers who walked 400 km in defiance of the salt tax and Rosa Parks’ decision to sit in her desired seat on the bus; these leaders inspired action in others – often dangerous and even life threatening actions to move a cause forward.

"If you don’t act now, you don’t have a future, just a longer today. Gandhi said, “The future depends on what we do in the present."

Yesterday, in the wake of protests in Ferguson, Missouri, and in Baltimore, President Obama called for a nationwide mobilization to reverse inequalities and said the cause will remain a mission for the rest of his presidency and his life. "There are consequences to indifference," Obama said. 

In a rare moment, the mostly scripted President described a story about Malachi, a boy he spoke with in the oval office as part of an effort to grapple with current events. The young man couldn’t figure out why his dad was never around. Obama shared the same sense of feeling adrift when he was young and it was in that unscripted, authentic moment that Obama told the crowd, “We should talk about love.”

As we’ve witnessed with former Presidents like Carter and Clinton the power to “do” rather than just “be” led to significant action and progress in areas at risk around the world. What I think is most compelling about their leadership style is a clear and passionate desire for change. Obama has decided to take on a provocative and polarizing movement that is very close to home - figuratively and literally. My Brother’s Keeper will be Obama's post-White House philanthropic effort - an initiative sure to confront some deeply imbedded issues in the American psychology. 

It is a project designed to help “…more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works – when it works, in those critical life-changing moments.” -  President Barack Obama, February 27, 2014

To truly make this initiative work however, Obama may require a less diplomatic approach. The typical post-Presidential philanthropy projects aren't quite like MBK. It may require people to sit at the front of the proverbial bus even it puts their life at peril. It may require people to march, and take risk and fight back. But, if Obama’s 2008 campaign was a sign of his ability to motivate people to act, then we will see the change he promised us years ago. 

I've always felt like my current role was something bigger than me. It was a passion-driven path that led me here. I may not be asking people to risk their lives, but I believe we are all committed to positively impacting some small part of this world.

Perhaps asking Obama to be a hero is a lot to ask. But, I have to believe that it's never too late to talk about love.

Jennifer Moss is the Cofounder of Plasticity Labs. For her work in this role she was awarded the 2014 International Female Entrepreneur of the Year Stevie Award. Jennifer will be speaking at the Chatelaine PROFITguide W100 on June 5th.