What it Takes:
Can You or Someone You Know Work Effectively
as an Elected Official?
Prepared by Stewart Clifton
June 2006
Top ten characteristics of successful elected officials
(Does this sound like you or someone you know?)
You can work effectively as an elected official if you can:
1. Work on developing relationships as hard as on developing issues and legislation.
2. Do your homework on your colleagues and the legislation, the official and the issue.
3. Respect (not necessarily agree with) other elected officials and those working in the public sector.
4. Communicate with clear information, remembering that you learn more by listening than speaking.
5. Be willing to pick and choose battles, leaving non-priorities to others.
6. Lead and represent, respecting the fact that responsible elected public service includes both.
7. Understand that there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies.
8. Learn the formal and informal rules.
9. Be responsive to constituents without being reactionary and losing the broad view.
10. Serve from a sense of mission, including broad commitment to the core principle that local and state government should have enough resources and strong enough institutions to have the capacity to govern -- for the sake of promoting community and justice, promoting properly funded, energized and energizing public schools, improving public services, promoting learning and culture, and including all.
