April 22, 2011

Some advice for Canadian politicians



I am never impressed when a business representative spends time criticizing his competition, rather than selling his product or service on its own merit.  In fact, a guaranteed outcome is that I will not buy from that business.

If you want to be the best at something, is the path to get there about criticizing what someone else does or has done?  I think not.   It is about focusing on yourself, not on others.  What do you offer?  Why are you the best for this work?  What is important to you, what do you stand for that makes you the choice in this area?

Which brings me to politics.  Our politicians, for the most part, seem to think that criticism, or negative politics, will somehow inspire us.  

When I watched Obama's presidential campaign in the U.S. back in 2008, I was struck by the absence of negative politics.  It stood out for me as something completely different, and I got how powerful it was. I haven't been able to listen to any politician in the same way since.

A career in politics is not easy.  I would imagine that someone who chooses a political career is driven by a strong drive to make a difference, a drive based on values, whether they be integrity, respect, freedom, transparency.  

I want to see those values.  When a politician speaks, I don’t want to hear the rhetoric and I don’t want to hear the mudslinging.  

To my fellow Canadians who aspire to lead our beautiful country, the true North strong and free:  
I want to hear what you stand for.  
I want to hear why you are doing what you are doing.  
Stand on your own merit.  
Engage me in why I should vote for you.  
Not in why I shouldn’t vote for someone else. 

Photo by AndrewMark, courtesy of stock.xchng.

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