By Shaun L. Kelly
Forget about voting by party. Forget about embracing any rigid political philosophy. In my mind, we can be “great again” if we vote for those candidates who have the highest emotional intelligence.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman popularized the notion of emotional intelligence in a bestselling book from 1995. It is, according to the author himself, “being aware that emotions can drive our behavior and impact people – positively and negatively – and learning how to manage those emotions – both our own and others – especially when we are under pressure.”
In 2018, we desperately need politicians, regardless of political party or philosophy, who recognize that it’s not about them, but about us. And so I ask you think about the thread of emotional intelligence when you cast your votes on November 6. When you vote this fall, ask yourself if the candidates you are voting for are true to themselves. Know who they are. Follow the Golden Rule as a matter of course. Take criticism as an opportunity for reflection.
Think before they speak. Listen as well as they pontificate. Have the courage to admit that they can be wrong. Possess innate decency. Admit their past mistakes and don’t resort to covering things up, especially if they have hurt others in the past. Are empathetic to the degree that they take the time to walk in the shoes of others. Say “we” and “us” much more readily than “I” or “me.”
Have the audacity to change. Possess the courage to stay the course even if is unpopular. Have the fearlessness to forgive, and, just as importantly, have the courage to ask for forgiveness. Possess enough humility to say “I’m sorry” when they are wrong. Have the capacity to keep their commitments. Help others without the expectation that it will be helpful to themselves. Remember the needs of the most vulnerable—children, the infirm, the handicapped, the sick, immigrants, and the elderly.
Finally, we need elected officials who embrace the time-honored Cherokee principle, to give dignity to others is above all things.
If every American voted for those candidates with the highest emotional
intelligence, then our great Republic would enter a new, more enlightened period of history in which our leaders would inevitably make decisions that would benefit the next generation as much, or even more, than their own.
As usual, it is up to you, the voter. After all, the power in this great country of others is derived from We the People.
Shaun Kelly is a history teacher at GCDS.
