More than a decade ago when I quit my last job, I was asked by an acquaintance if I would like to join politics and help a cause. My instinctive reaction was negative. Over the years, I have ruminated on this and here are some thoughts as to why most people don't join politics:
- Politics is hard, harder than any job you will ever have, as it's 24 X 7. You cannot afford to switch off
- Unless you are a scion of a political family, you need to work at the grass root level
- You have to be immune to criticism but be ready to criticise.
- The party’s view takes precedence over your personal opinions.
- You need to constantly learn (economics, laws, voting patterns, caste/class configurations etc.).
- If elected, bureaucrats can hinder you and, since you have a fixed term, accomplishing tasks goes beyond just managing tasks and projects.t.
- Finding the right electability formula: First part the post election system.
- Friends can turn into foes and vice versa, but there are no long term friends or foes.
- Focus on winning but also acceptance of losing and the patience to wait.
- Find the right party to be aligned with and then have to constantly adjust your values.
- Ability to organise as well as find resources.
- Manage recommendations and favours.
- The ability to communicate in sound bytes (even better than the McKinsey elevator pitch) and the discernment required for the communication.
These are in some way competencies that employees and entrepreneurs may not be able to build, hence political families seem to have an upper hand. When someone works thru this system and makes it, you may not like the person, but have to admire / respect his success.
Thoughts/feedback welcome as always.
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