With bias toward no party or candidate, the election process was a robust field of leadership lessons. Here are but a few for current and aspiring leaders…
- Personal appearance counts and will be scrutinized. Even when it shouldn’t.
- Some things take waaaay longer than you think.
- You are never off camera.
- Inappropriate actions from the past can come back to haunt you. Even from long ago.
- The behavior of those closest to you can have a bearing on perceptions of you.
- Listening is a highly underrated skill.
- Some things ARE worth fighting for.
- Others analyze and second-guess the smallest of things.
- There is a limit to how much others will listen to you before fatigue sets in.
- Some constituents are so set in their ways that you should go without them.
- The “10,000 Hour Rule” does apply although it is not recognized.
- Sometimes, although there is nothing to talk about, others talk about it.
- Being “authentic” has many interpretations.
- Timing matters, sometimes it is just not your turn.
- Creating a brand is important.
- Records are maintained for a long time.
- Using certain offensive words will always get you in trouble.
- Staying “on message” makes life easier.
- Some people will not like you no matter what you do.
- Leaders probably don’t read books on leadership.
- Success comes at a cost.
- Surveys and polls can be pervasive and influence behavior.
- Others pay attention to those closest to you on your team.
- A sense of humor can come in handy.
- Some things may not be a big deal to you but they are to others.
- Your children can be an asset and a good sounding board.
- Drink more water.
- Sometimes it is better to say “I don’t know.” Is Aleppo a person, place or thing?
- Content on the Internet can be full of fiction but labeled as true.
- Others can obsess on things you don’t consider important.
- How you treat others is a lens through which others see you.
- Change course if you need to in order to achieve your goals.
- More constituents exist than you think.
- Threats are a risky tool to use.
- Personality can be perceived as an asset as much as experience.
- Big ideas garner attention, even if implementation is unclear.
- Constituents will forgive mistakes if they are acknowledged.
- News shows can be addicting and annoying at the same time.
- Some decisions are best considered without the opinions of others.
- Change is an inflammatory word.