What makes a good politician? As a nation, we’re obviously still in some debate about the specifics, but there are some personal traits that any politician needs to have before anyone takes any notice of them. Could it be that there is something all of us could learn from our vibrantly diverse competing pollies? Could there be more to the rise in independents popularity than a distrust in the major parties? In particular, could our adolescence, most of whom can't yet vote, use this election not to focus on the specific words and actions of Malcolm vs Bill but rather look across the spectrum as to how all candidates promote themselves? Could they learn some ways to make themselves their first preference?
In a word - yes. But what is it these people, regardless of their number of votes, all have in abundance? What is it that gets them on to the public platform and earns them pause in our scrolling? What are the personal traits adolescents can look to learn?
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“But mummy, I’ll never be able do it! I’m not good enough! The other kids will laugh at me!”
Sound familiar? Unfortunately, too many parents would say yes. And it seems younger and younger our children are becoming negative, anxious and even strung out. Perceived pressures, particularly by girls, to perform academically, fit in with the crowd and look ‘the part’ can overwhelm their young brains. Worrying is a natural part of life. In evolutionary terms, it was a survival mechanism to help our early human ancestors prepare for what could be of danger and, you know, kill them. It is hard wired into our brains to be alert to what could go wrong. But that doesn’t mean we have to let anxieties rule the internal roost. |