You Got This!
Module 1 from the Campaign School for Women Participant Workbook
Research on leadership shows that successful leaders in politics tend to have several common traits, although how these are displayed depends on the community and the situation. For example, strength (which takes the form of dominance and self-confidence) is present in all successful political leaders but is shown in different ways depending on what is culturally accepted.
Common traits among successful political leaders include:
- Self-Confidence: Strong belief in oneself
- High energy: Capable of achieving a higher number of tasks and working longer hours than the average person
- High level of task-relevant information: Knows and understands a lot about the areas she must manage
- Intelligent and naturally curious: Always eager to know or learn something new. Political leaders are often particularly good at abstract thinking, which involves seeing multiple possibilities and options for any idea or concept, and have strong analytical abilities
- Effective communicator: There are many ways to be a good communicator, but in politics, this frequently involves delivering messages in such a way that the target audience easily understands them
- Comfortable in his or her company: Many good political leaders are comfortable being alone, which gives them time to reflect and learn
- Purpose or focus:Knows why she is in politics and has a sense of what she wants to achieve
Taking some time to clearly identify who you are as a leader and what you have to offer to your community will help to validate your sense of confidence and competency to run for elected leadership positions. Once you’re clear on these items, you can campaign with clear leadership that will help the voters better understand who you are and what makes you the most qualified candidate to represent their needs and interests.