Politics is the art of presenting your agenda in light of your audiences’ values.  Putting international, national and regional interests aside, one gets to the often uttered truth, “all politics is local.”  Standing  up in front of an audience is about as local as you can get.  Effective politics is a blend of leadership, principles and perspective.

Framing an issue effectively allows your audience to share a common perspective.  We are all entitled to our own opin-
ions; however, we are not entitled to our own facts.  Begin by explaining how an average listener might feel about your subject. Give specific reasons why this perspective makes sense, whether you agree with it or not.  Then show how the same facts can be seen from another perspective.

Here is where your principles come in to play.  Groucho Marx once quipped, “These are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others.” Principles are not persuasive ploys.  They are the ways you see the world and means by which you enlighten your audience.  I am a … (fill in your favorite group identity) tells people where you stand.  Principles explain how you got there and where you are going.

Leadership is not telling people what they want to hear, it is telling them what they need to know.  When you frame an issue for a child, a colleague or a community, your principles determine your perspective.  Political leadership is best demon-
strated when you risk seeing things from the others’ point of view.  After all, caring is learning to share your values in terms of another.  Whether the ballot is cast by a hug, a business agreement, or a community improvement, votes come to those who know themselves  as well as their audience.