Author Archives: Adam Albanese

Hi all,

Some of y’all may have come across Politico’s article last month about the Obama Cabinet. For those who haven’t, I highly recommend it!

Aside from the amazing behind-closed-door scenes for the political nerds, it’s an interesting lesson in management at the highest level. Like in high school, informal hierarchy rules supreme. The article brings in the historical  context – that the “big” posts hold the most sway (Defense, State, Treasury, and the Attorney General) – and the most important lesson in political power: those closest to the President hold the most power.

That relationship is far more important than any title could convey. So in the article you have a political advisor dressing down the Attorney General of the United States of America – because the political advisor, in a heated campaign, is the person closest to POTUS.

Anyway, I also wanted to share because I think it has some interesting material to consider when thinking of both leadership and management, as well as the organizational culture of the Obama White House, and how vital the HR frame is (in my reading, ego stroking sometimes appears to be perhaps the greatest management tool an executive has at their disposal!).

Hope you enjoy.