Gordon Brown complimented Barak Obama on his recent election to become US President by saying "I know Barak Obama and we share many values. We both have determination to show that government can act and help people fairly through the difficult times facing the economy".

Having studied both men closely it is clear that they have similarities. Both are analytical, strategic thinkers and are values driven. But whilst Obama openly talks and writes about his values Gordon Brown, in contrast, seems almost to deny having them in case they offend.

Interestingly, the British public's perception of the Prime Minister has started to improve with his tackling of the current economic crisis. This is precisely the type of problem that our work shows that he should excel at, requiring, as it does, a detailed grasp of facts, a long term view and careful planning and implementation. In short, it plays to many of his strengths.

Just as importantly, people seem to accept that he will be good in exactly this type of crisis so there are positive expectations of him. Nor does it require him to persuade us of the need to act - we know something needs to be done and we are happy to go along with the solutions he suggests. This feeds his arrogant streak and avoids having to influence, which is not one of his strengths.

The one area which Brown seems reluctant, even now, to talk about is his values. In coming to power Brown should have had the courage to use his values as the basis for his decision making. Instead he tried to become a populist politician, in the Blair mould, which does not suit him at all. In this respect there is much that our seasoned, experienced Premier can learn from the younger, greener President Elect of the United States.