One of the most difficult decisions that a person in politics must make is creating that short list of people you really trust. Politics is a dangerous place to play in traffic so we can all use as much advice and instruction as possible when navigating this rocky terrain. The sad and ironic truth is that many self-admirers in politics think that they don’t need assistance as they operate like the all-knowing Wizard of Oz, the man behind the curtain.
News flash – politicians don’t corner the market in smart decision-making and can use all available assistance.
The reality is that people in politics can NOT trust their own decisions because in politics there is a special intangible interest that seeps into the pores of political life, and that causes our judgement and outward vision to have the optics of a kaleidoscope. Let’s put our shoulder into this one.
In politics, we tend to surround ourselves with people who come from one of the three camps:
- There are some family and friends who have been with us and truly have our best interests at heart, until of course when the prospects of a better job or opportunities for themselves spring up, and out the window flies that pure loyalty and selflessness. The loyalty factor is a big plus, but sometimes the lack of experience causes issues and sometimes the family and friends program make it difficult to say no as they leverage emotions and feelings to get their agenda completed.
- There is the outsider hired gun who treats this job like any other and is mercenary-like in the job, but will cut and run when something better comes along or when things get hot. The upside is that you get the experience, but the downside is the lack of history or loyalty, which could potentially put some of the operation at risk.
- You can talent spot and find a brilliant up and comer and hope that you can train an assassin who can be molded into the perfect, make them in the basement models. The downside is the lack of experience is difficult and you don’t know what you really have until you test drive the staffer, which might be too late as you bump into some foreseeable calamity.
As you can see there are pluses and drawbacks to each of these selections and you must tread carefully with these decisions. The punch line to all of this is regardless of which option you choose; the final decision must be made with approval of a truly trusted advisor. Whom do you really trust?
At the end of the day, you must trust your own instincts and that of a true partner, a spouse, a nonpolitical business partner, your law partner, or a grown-up son or daughter who truly gets the larger picture.
Politics has a way of changing people and conniving individuals will always convince themselves that they are on the side of angels. Long time objective partners and friends are the last train to Clarksville to truly protect yourself from harm’s way when you are depending on people who may or may not have your best interests at heart.
Thought of the day.