How to Become a Good Politician

Getting elected and being successful in office are distinct goals.

A good politician need not only get elected; he must also work effectively within the legislature. According to two former legislators, Lee Hamilton of the U.S. House of Representatives and Vicki Bourne of the Australian Senate, personal characteristics and professional skills combine to create a good politician. If a successful political career is what you want, keep in mind their tips for working well with colleagues and dealing with the limitations of political office.

Instructions

1. Develop the personal characteristics of humility and honesty. Bourne notes that it is the collective institution of the legislature that holds power; an individual politician must be humble enough to realize there is little he can do alone. Hamilton states that politicians must be seen as trustworthy by their colleagues in order to work effectively together. Constituents, Hamilton states, are also alert to dishonesty in their elected officials.

2. Maintain a high level of energy in addition to ambition and focus. Hamilton says the job of a politician is all-consuming and requires a great deal of personal effort. Although ambition sometimes has a negative connotation in the political context, Hamilton states that most politicians employ their ambition in certain areas of policy more than for personal gain. Bourne adds that goals are important to a successful career and these should be specific and measurable.

3. Work on your communication skills. Hamilton states that good politicians should be able to engage with all sorts of people in a wide variety of environments. Bourne also highlights the importance of listening to the views of others, as their different experiences may help the politician to re-think his opinion. Bourne also says it's important to learn how to say no, but to do so in a way that does not offend.

4. Research and become educated on the issues. Bourne recommends that politicians specialize in a certain area and become the go-to person on that topic in the legislative body. This will give the politician standing and influence. Both Hamilton and Bourne emphasize the importance of knowing the system and how to use it effectively, so that the legislature can advance the politician's policy goals. Knowledge of the bureaucracy is necessary to effectively help constituents, Hamilton notes, and this is important since political office is not an entitlement and politicians must be loyal to those who elected them.

5. Remember the importance of give and take. Hamilton states that effective politics involves finding common ground. Bourne states that good politicians keep people on side because their support may be needed in the future. Hamilton also discourages ideology in politicians, and states, "if you approach a problem by saying that all the good is in your side and all the bad lies with the opposition, then you'll never accomplish anything."

References

• Indiana University; The Center on Congress; What Makes a Good Politician?; Lee Hamilton; January 2010
• Karen United; Ten Rules For Being a Good Politician; Vicki Bourne