What CEOs could learn from Obama

Keeping an eye on how US president-elect Barack Obama tackles his new job could provide a template for executives who find themselves in a demanding new role, according to a Harvard Business blog.

The article suggests Obama and other recently appointed chief executives might like to consider the following when called upon to lead in tough times:

Remain realistic - it's claimed the US is facing problems that can't be solved overnight; accordingly, it suggested that giving people false hope about solutions is not the right move

Find the best talent - don't go it alone, work collaboratively with colleagues who aren't just yes-people

Identify the big issues - instead of calling a summit, go to where the problems are and talk to the people tackling them to gain a first hand understanding of what is not working

Be optimistic - give people hope by not just talking about change but acting on key issue areas