Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Obama's Decision Making Process

At the conference I attended last Friday on the Early Obama Presidency , Stephen J Wayne of Georgetown University summarised the deliberative process that the President tends to take.

  1. Assemble experts on the issue
  2. Listen carefully
  3. Encourage debate - Obama tends to force all people at a meeting to speak and share their views.
  4. Ask detailed questions - The President (as befits a lawyer) cross-examines participants
  5. Move discussion towards a resolution
  6. Act - only when a consensus has been reached

Observations on this would be appreciated - whether you have information about how the Obama White House works - or on the advisability of such an approach. I would be particularly interested in evidence or observations on Obama's negotiating style.