As a voter, you have the power to shape the quality of leadership in your community. One of the most important qualities to look for in a candidate is their “skin in the game”—their personal stakes in the policies they promote and the risks they share with their constituents. Leaders without skin in the game often make decisions disconnected from the realities of those they represent, leaving voters to bear the consequences. Nassim Taleb writes in Skin in the Game, “To be truly effective, a leader must share in the risks and responsibilities of the people they serve.” For voters, this principle serves as a compass for choosing leaders who will govern with integrity, empathy, and accountability.

How do some people—and some campaigns—rise stronger after every setback? The answer lies in resilience. Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life teaches that resilience is built through perseverance, trust in purpose, and a belief that challenges are opportunities in disguise. The same is true for campaigns and leaders. In today’s fast-moving, often ruthless political world, resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the difference between fading into irrelevance and creating lasting change. At Next Generation Political Consulting, we believe resilience is a skill, not just a trait. It’s something campaigns can build into their DNA. The most successful leaders are those who learn not just to survive challenges but to use them as stepping stones toward something greater.

Leadership in politics isn’t about barking orders—it’s about inspiring action. As Dale Carnegie wrote in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “Let the other person feel that the idea is theirs.” When people feel empowered to act rather than forced to follow, they’re more motivated, engaged, and committed to your vision. In this post, we’ll explore how to guide voters, volunteers, and team members toward action without resorting to commands, and why this approach fosters stronger relationships and better results.

Too many options can paralyze decision-making. Behavioral economics refers to this as choice overload, a concept that Richard Thaler explores in Nudge. When people are overwhelmed by complexity—be it policy details, ballot propositions, or campaign asks—they often disengage entirely. In politics, simplifying choices can significantly improve voter participation, boost donations, and clarify campaign messaging. By reducing choice overload, campaigns can nudge people toward meaningful engagement without overwhelming them.

Why does it feel so difficult to do the right thing? Because greatness is never comfortable. Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life teaches us that true fulfillment comes from stepping out of our comfort zones. That same principle applies to campaigns, leaders, and movements. If you want to achieve something extraordinary, you have to be willing to take bold steps. At Next Generation Political Consulting, we’ve seen it time and again: the most impactful campaigns aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. They don’t wait for the perfect moment—they create it.

Great leaders don’t just speak about their values—they live them. Nassim Taleb’s Skin in the Game teaches us that leaders who share risks with their communities inspire trust, loyalty, and respect. By walking the talk, these individuals prove their commitment to their cause through action, not just words. Let’s explore examples of leaders throughout history who embodied the principle of skin in the game, earning their place as symbols of integrity and courage.

Could the “wrong” idea be the key to winning your election? Sometimes, breaking the rules is the smartest move you can make.

In politics, the most powerful leaders aren’t the ones who talk the loudest—they’re the ones who listen the most. As Dale Carnegie writes in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is the recipe: Never listen to anyone. Talk incessantly about yourself.” Listening is more than just hearing words—it’s about understanding people’s needs, values, and concerns. For candidates, listening is the foundation of building trust, fostering loyalty, and crafting a message that truly resonates.

Zig Ziglar once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” This powerful reminder applies not only to individuals but to entire campaigns. True greatness begins with the people who power your movement—from the candidate to the volunteers to the voters themselves. If you want to run a campaign that inspires action and leaves a lasting legacy, you need to focus on building greatness at every level.

What’s faster—gut instinct or critical thought? The answer could determine your campaign’s success because, in politics, speed wins every time.

Are you trying to appeal to every voter? Here’s the truth: the fastest way to lose an election is by chasing everyone—and connecting with no one.

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu teaches, "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." Politics is a dynamic and unpredictable arena, and success often depends on your ability to adapt to change and seize unexpected opportunities. This post explores how candidates can embrace flexibility, respond to challenges, and turn chaos into a competitive advantage.

Sometimes, a gentle reminder at the right moment is all it takes to spur someone into action. In politics, timely reminders are a powerful tool for encouraging positive behaviors, such as registering to vote, donating to a campaign, or showing up on Election Day. Behavioral economics, as Richard Thaler highlights in Nudge, demonstrates that procrastination and forgetfulness are common human traits—but well-timed nudges can overcome these barriers and drive meaningful engagement.

Do voters truly know what’s best for themselves, or are their decisions driven by something deeper, something hidden? The myth of the rational voter has misled campaigns for decades—and it could be costing you the election.

In the high-stakes world of politics, disagreements are inevitable. But as Dale Carnegie wisely observed in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “You can’t win an argument. You can’t because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it.” Arguments may score points in debates, but they rarely change hearts or minds. Instead, the key to winning over opponents lies in finding common ground, listening with empathy, and fostering constructive dialogue. This post explores how to avoid arguments while influencing others effectively in political campaigns and leadership.

Are you running a campaign—or leading a cause that changes lives? Zig Ziglar once said, “When you help others get what they want, you’ll get what you want.” That idea is the foundation of purpose-driven campaigns. Today’s voters aren’t just looking for candidates—they’re looking for leaders who represent something bigger than themselves. They want to join a mission, a cause, a movement. If your campaign is rooted in a clear and compelling purpose, it won’t just attract supporters—it will energize them.

No one is perfect—not even political leaders. Mistakes happen, and how you handle them can make or break your reputation. As Dale Carnegie writes in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “By fighting you never get enough, but by yielding you get more than you expected.” Admitting your mistakes isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a mark of strength, humility, and authenticity. In politics, owning up to errors can build trust, strengthen relationships, and demonstrate integrity. This post explores why admitting mistakes is a powerful leadership tool and how to do it effectively.

In politics, making people feel valued isn’t just good manners—it’s a cornerstone of effective leadership. As Dale Carnegie wrote in How to Win Friends and Influence People, “The unvarnished truth is that almost all the people you meet feel themselves superior to you in some way, and a sure way to their hearts is to let them realize in some subtle way that you recognize their importance.”

In a political campaign, every detail matters. Your messaging, your outreach strategy, and even the design of your signs can make or break your efforts. Among these details, one simple yet powerful element often gets overlooked: putting your face on your political signs. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a connection, building trust, and standing out in a crowded field.

Stories shape the way we see the world. They captivate, inspire, and move us to action. In political campaigns, storytelling isn’t just a tool—it’s the lifeblood of persuasion. It transforms abstract policies into tangible realities, breathes life into statistics, and makes candidates not just politicians, but relatable human beings. If you want to win hearts, minds, and votes, you need more than policy proposals—you need a narrative that connects on an emotional level.

You step off the stage, shake a few more hands, and head out the door. The event went well. People clapped, nodded in agreement, and maybe even came up afterward to say, “I love what you’re doing.” But then the moment passes, and by the next morning, it’s all a blur. If that sounds familiar, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools in your campaign toolbox: the questions you were asked.