A leader of a country, who oversees the execution and enforcement of laws for the well-being of people in a particular country or territory. The President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and is empowered to make treaties and appointments (with Senate approval) in the executive branch of the government, among many other things. The President is also required to report to Congress on the state of the nation.
In addition, the President has significant military and foreign policy powers, which are often debated in Congress and by the public. Historically, the President’s success in addressing domestic and foreign challenges has been inextricably linked to their ability to work with Congress. Examples include Franklin Roosevelt and Social Security, Lyndon Johnson and civil rights, Ronald Reagan and tax cuts, and George W. Bush and No Child Left Behind.
Despite these expansive powers, the President must still operate within a framework of limited resources and congressional oversight. This means that the President must be able to set priorities, delegate tasks and focus on the most important issues at hand. The most effective Presidents are able to keep their composure in stressful situations, be empathetic, inspire others and have a clear vision for the country they lead.
The term President can also be used at a lower level to refer to an official in any organized body of persons, such as the presiding officer of a college or university (also called a rector or president), or the chief officer of a society or corporation. In these cases, the term is generally derived from a practice of British Parliamentary tradition, where the presiding speaker is addressed as “Mr/Mrs. Speaker.”