7 Ways to Lead a Political Life

A woman from the Athena Center for Leadership Studies talked to us on Saturday about the lack of women in politics.  The more female leaders a government has, she says, the stronger their democracy.  I have to agree with her.  Women are approximately 50% of the population, so their representation in government should reflect that.  I did not know that in Rwanda, women currently make up 56% of Parliament (woohoo!). 

Here are her seven steps to living a political life:

1. Follow the news.
2. Attend civic and political events.
3. Talk like a leader.
4. Make something happen.
5. Try.  Fail.  Try again.
6. Run for office now.
7. Listen to your followers.

When I get home, I may start watching the news and practicing my public speaking skills.  I also want to make an effort to learn more about other cultures and world history.  My Namibian roommate was talking about Apartheid, and I thought to myself, I should really know more about this than I do.  If I want to understand what is going on in the world today, I have to learn what events led up to it.  That is part of being a global citizen.

What about you?  Are you living a political life?