Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest and what we often take for granted, yet they are likely to make the biggest impact on others and their life quality. In everything he does, President Barack Obama exhibits those two assets in abundance, which have raised his stature tremendously both at home and worldwide. One only has to look at how he has received by everyone, from world leaders to ordinary members of the military, to see how those elements have been appreciated and admired.

The first reason is his obvious people skills. The man is like a sponge in dealing with people, mopping up their adulation and respect then reflecting it back upon them in triplicate to make them feel valued, wanted and inspired by his presence. He easily mirrors others and loses himself in their presence which many aloof and detached leaders cannot do. He is not afraid of sending himself up either in humour and people love that laid back stance.

In essence, the President is an indisputable people person. He knows how to motivate others, to encourage and inspire them, and they can sense it a mile. Not everyone has the knack of confidently putting others at ease, welcoming them in a sincere manner, relating to them on their level and in their terms, sharing their joys and pain with understanding, being empathetic to their perspectives, generating so much excitement from them and eliciting such admiration. That is a rare gift, indeed, and Barack Obama certainly possesses a lot of it, which has come in handy in calming jittery foreign leaders and dealing with international crises.

The second and simplest reason is his SMILE. What an all embracing smile it is, ready to warm the hearts of everyone and he uses it generously and unstintingly. To be smiled at by Barack Obama, knowing that it is well meant and just for you, must be quite a feeling of being valued and appreciated. A smile speaks across borders, across barriers, across languages and cultures. One does not need words with any broad smile. It has a language all of its own. A great smile has the power to draw, to immerse, to calm, to reassure and to uplift anyone within its reach, and Barack Obama is blessed with one. More important, he knows how to flash it to his advantage too. Barack has been cheering a lot of people on his journey with his smile and genuine care for others, hence why many will still be voting him in for a second term. More than anything they might remember about his trip when it is all over, is his warmth and smile on days when they might not have much to be happy about, and be thankful they experienced it.

Often world leaders are detached people, seemingly sombre and stuffy. President Obama is anything but that and a person who is positive has far more to offer a country in recession than one who can only see the gloomy side. He certainly deserves that second term.