This week, Americans are preparing to say goodbye to President Barack Obama as his term ends on Friday, Jan. 20. Along with the end of his term, many people are also steeling themselves to bid adieu to one of the best president-vice president relationships in modern times as Obama’s friendship with Vice President Joe Biden has inspired millions of Americans.
Over the years, Obama and Biden’s bromance became the subject of hilarious Internet memes. But last week, the president’s tribute to the 74-year-old became the epitome of friendship goals as Obama surprised his “brother” with the nation’s highest civilian honor—the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Internet immediately reacted in full force, with many expressing their admiration for the duo’s true friendship. But what exactly contributes to Obama and Biden’s great working relationship?
Presidential historian and professor at Rice University Douglas Brinkley told the Washington Post, “We’ve never had that between a sitting president and vice president in recent times, one where the friendship and familiarity factor was sky-high.”
CNBC has made a list of what makes their working relationship fantastic, and top executives can certainly learn a thing or two on how the President and Vice President of the United States managed to build a friendship while working hand in hand to lead the country.
Here are some of the things that executives can learn from Obama and Biden’s great working relationship.
They value honesty and tell it like it is—even when it’s hard to do so
In his speech on Thursday, Jan. 12, Obama said that Biden’s honest counsel has made him “a better President.”
“After everyone else has cleared the room, he’s been unafraid to give it to me straight, even if we disagree—in fact, especially if we disagree,” said Obama.
For his part, Biden said that they have disagreed, argued, and even raised their voices, but they made a pact to be open and to be like brothers to one another.
They support each other during difficult times
Last year, Biden revealed that the president offered to help out financially when his son, Beau Biden, was diagnosed with cancer. The vice president said (via The Guardian) that he thought about selling his house to help support Beau’s family after he resigned from his post as Delaware attorney general. Biden said that he wanted to do it since Beau’s family had no income after his son resigned.
“He [Obama] got up and said, ‘Don’t sell the house. Promise me you won’t sell the house,’” Biden said.
“He said, ‘I’ll give you the money. Whatever you need, I’ll give you the money,’” the vice president continued. When Beau lost his fight to cancer in 2015, Obama was there for his friend, delivering the eulogy and grieving along with Biden and his family.
They trust each other to do their jobs
The two trust each other’s strengths and they give each other space to do their work.
“Every single thing you’ve asked me to do, Mr. President, you have trusted me to do,” said Biden in his speech on Thursday. “That’s a remarkable thing.”
They don’t take themselves too seriously
The lighter moments of the duo’s friendship has made the rounds online and have been celebrated throughout the years. From Obama making Biden a friendship bracelet to Biden surprising his friend with cupcakes for his birthday, the president and vice president’s friendship has been admired and joked about, even by their own wives.
In an interview with People, First Lady Michelle Obama said that the president and Biden’s friendship will continue even after they leave the White House.
“They will find each other,” she joked. “They’ll go for long walks, looking into each other’s eyes.” The vice president’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, added, “They’re going to be eating ice cream together somewhere, I’m sure.”
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s report on Spotify wanting Obama to become the “President of Playlists.”
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