Politician

What they do: A politician or political leader (from Greek "polis") is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, coup d'état, appointment, electoral fraud, conquest, right of inheritance (see also: divine right) or other means. Politics is not limited to governance through public office. Political offices may also be held in corporations, and other entities that are governed by self-defined political processes. (Wikipedia)


Basically, this job is to represent the interests of a group of constituents. Whether the Founding Fathers meant for politics to be a career choice is an interesting question, but it doesn’t stop certain people from dedicating their lives to the pursuit of public office.

What talents might make someone a great politician? Here are five suggestions:

Belief: Whether it's furthering a social cause, representing a set of ideals, or a single-minded focus on one's own profit, successful politicians all believe that there is a job to be done, and that they are the ones to do it.

Communication: Successful politicians must be able to effectively deliver their messages to the people they represent, the interest groups they work with, and their co-workers in government. A successful politician doesn't have to be a statesman, but he or she knows the right words to say to the right people, and how and when to say them.

Empathy: Successful politicians have a deep understanding of the needs of the people who can get them and keep them in office, whether those people are the great masses of the general public or the small groups of patrons who provide clout and cash.

Self-Assurance: A politician must have a high level of self-confidence in order to survive the process of getting elected, where the candidate must convince lots of people to choose them and endure attacks from opponents.

Woo: Winning Others Over is perhaps the core strength of a politician - the ability to shake hands, kiss babies, deliver inspiring speeches, and make deals over and over again in the quest to get elected.