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Leadership Challenge for the Newly ElectedThe paradox surrounding newly elected officials!The newly elected official.
After getting elected the newly elected official has an ego that has been reinforced by an entire campaign season focusing on "me", "what I will do" and "what is wrong with the way things are". An inflated ego often convinces the new government official that he/she will make the needed changes that were overemphasized during the campaign. The desire to keep promises and "look good" to contituents adds to the positionality of the newly elected official. The paradox comes into play after the election! After talking about lowering taxes, improving the infrastructure, improving the economy, increasing services, fixing this, redoing that - the fact is - one person can not do any of these things! Newly elected officials can not change anything by themselves. It takes a group, a team, a unified approach to agree, to vote, to solve problems effectively. Due to the self-absorbed nature of a campaign, many newly elected officials have a difficult time assimilating - and, are often alienated from the elected body in which they now serve. How does this happen? What did the candidate have to do to win?What did the newly elected official have to do to win the election (for federal government, state government, county government, local government, school board, park board or any other elected postition)?They had to get a minimum number of signatures on a petition. They were able to talk to these people about what is wrong with the way things are and about their platform and ideas to change things for the better. They spent a significant amount of time campaigning up until the election talking about what is wrong with the way things are and about their platform and ideas to change things for the better. They had fund raisers in order to help pay for yard signs, advertising, etc. At these events they were able to talk about what is wrong with the way things are and about their platform and ideas to change things for the better. They had public debates and forums where they were able to talk about what is wrong with the way things are and about their platform and ideas to change things for the better. Their advertising may have highlighted the things they were going to do to make things better. After all their efforts – THEY WON THE ELECTION! That was then!Now that they are part of the TEAM:
they can not force any of their ideas on the elected body. they can not cause anything! to continue to talk about how bad things are will no longer be productive A “me against them” mindset on a board that requires a majority vote does not work. If they use the same tactics, rhetoric, and promises that were critical of all that is wrong with the way things are – they will alienate the rest of the elected body and will have little success. A new way of being is necessary that is different from their campaign strategy. What happens when they are elected under a party structure?
The "Party" InfluenceGetting elected under the auspices of a particular political party can add fuel to the fire. If the newly elected official is a "statesman" this is not a major issue as altruism and service are the motivational forces. However, if the newly elected official is merely a politician - egotism takes over and the support of the party amplifies positionality. The result is another individual that builds walls around the best solutions and defends to death the ideology of the party.It is similar to being in a gang. Gang members feel powerful when among their peers. Politicians feel powerful from being elected - more powerful among their party peers. Ironically, as egotism drives politicians to feel powerful - once elected, they are truly the ultimate "servants of the people" for whom they were elected to serve, and altruism should be the driving force. "Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power." -John Steinbeck
The Made in America Project entails a new trade strategy that will make America stronger economically and more secure as a nation. It will create more control over our sovereignty. It will require action from Congress! However, there is a built in resistance in Congress regardless of how good an idea is or how effective a concept could be. That resistance can be summed up in the two party system of today. With the power of the media in creating celebrity status within Congressional ranks, the proliferation of the EGO has never been more of a factor in driving elected leaders to do or say anything to "look good". With the support of the party, this includes the necessity to be "right" at any cost - as long as "we win" and "they lose".
Email your representative in Congress and ask:Will you consider the "Made in America Project without the positionality of your party!Contact Congress about our Solution
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