Learning from Michelle Obama--On the Journey to Becoming a Sage

After reading an interview with Michelle Obama, I was struck with the kind of environment she is creating in the White House.  In fact, she said “I’ve taken Barack’s mantra:  This isn’t about us.  There’s so much history here that no one family can claim this space [White House] as their own.” 

Michelle was asked how she was working with the staff and the girls and her response is that of a real leader:

I want the house to feel like home, so it’s important for me to get to know the people we work with, to be able to joke with them and tease them.  So I want the girls to make their own beds.  If they don’t learn to make their beds or to clean their rooms, what are they going to do when they go to college?  It can’t be foreign to them to be part of a working household. 

So in the first few days, I gathered my east Wing team and the residence staff—the folks who clean the chandeliers, the people in the kitchen, everyone—and thanked them for helping us transition through the move.  Then I talked about our vision for this house:  that it would be filled with life, that we’d have people in and out, that the kids would roam around.  I want the kids to be treated like children, not little princesses … So the girls help set the table, they help bring food out, they work with the butler staff, and they’re in the kitchen laughing and making their toast in the morning.

Michelle closed the interview by saying:

I know that all I can do is be the best me that I can.  And live life with some gusto.  Giving back is a big part of that.  How am I going to share this experience with the American people?  I’m always thinking about that.

What a great role model?  I am sure I will be learning more from Michelle.  What are you always thinking about?

Comments

[Justin Saxfield]

From what I have seen so far with Mr. and Mrs. Obama, I have been very impressed. Reading a portion of this interview impresses me even more about them. I like how they aren't letting this power of being President and First Lady get to their heads. That's great and how they are making their kids make the bed and set the table and do all the chores a normal child would do. As we have all too often seen with Hollywood teenagers and even the Bush twins, they were rich, spoiled brats - I have a real respect for Mrs. Obama for trying to raise her daughters as normal as possible. If only more normal American parents would do the same for their kids too.

Pertaining more to our class, I really like how Michelle Obama is using gratitude with her staff at the White House and also getting to know them! I think it's great also how Mrs. Obama is living life the fullest as well. She's a great example for all Americans everywhere.

[Seth Meany]

What about all of the media attention Michelle is getting worldwide? It seemed as if her presence in England a few months ago was much more publicized that Barack's.

[Jann Freed]

It is interesting the attention she is getting. There are so many positive things that she is doing. She is bright and also a leader. I am working hard to get "Obama arms" but I am not sure it is working. My arms are sore though.