While it may offer some guidance to all leaders, this book is intended for aspiring and elected politicians in the hope it will help each one be a good one. Politics is in my blood. It''s a passion inherited from my father, one that inspired me to seek office and spend twenty-three years there. I found my experience to be exhilarating and rewarding. There is little to match the satisfaction that comes from making a real and lasting difference for those we are privileged to represent. But it''s hardly all smooth sailing. I''ve learned to think of politics as a rough, seagoing voyage in storm-tossed waters. There''s a real risk a politician will lose sight of the stars that should guide them.

We can be blown off course and lose our way. Under the pressures inherent in the enterprise, we can give in to behaviours and thoughts that are less than the best we can and should muster. We can become unworthy of the leadership role we''ve been commissioned to play. Fortunately, over many centuries, participants in the political process, along with others possessed of uncanny insight into human nature, have offered us advice. This handbook is a collection of some of that advice, maybe even wisdom, offered to you, the politician. Think of it as a compass to help you stay on course, and should you lose your way, to find it. The purpose of this book is to help you be a good one. It''s grounded in a truth revealed when people first began to gather in small groups: the quality of our leadership matters.

Leadership that is not only persuasive but honourable and selfless has been the foundation of human progress. Completely absent these qualities, our leaders have been, at best, ineffectual, and at worst, villainous, leading us into decline. I''ve divided the book into seven chapters covering subjects of vital interest to those sincerely committed to improving the quality of their leadership. In "The Calling," the first chapter, my subject is your summons to public office and why you should step up. Of course, there are many good and sensible reasons to avoid politics. But if you have that age-old longing to make your life count for something, politics is an option you can''t avoid considering, one that, at its best, is very rewarding. "Hope," the second chapter, speaks to the most powerful tool you can and must master in order to lead progress. Leadership will inevitably require you to ask something of those you serve.

You will not win followers unless you give them hope. The third chapter, "Perspective," is about staying grounded and being clear-eyed about yourself and the role you are playing. In the rough waters of politics, you can not only lose your way, you can lose yourself. You can fall into the trap of believing those who oppose you are evil and those who support you are lucky to have you. You''re neither a victim nor a hero. You''re a politician struggling to give your best. Chapter 4, "Conduct Becoming," is about your responsibility to be the best version of yourself. Begin by embracing politics as service.

That''s why you''re there. To be of service to those you are privileged to represent. Living up to this responsibility demands not only that you give the very best of yourself, it also requires that you get the very best out of your constituents. And you must do all this in an environment that perversely encourages misconduct. "Leading and Growing," chapter 5, is devoted to impressing upon you two imperatives: your job is to provide leadership, and in exercising this responsibility, you need to see yourself as a work in progress. You must work hard to understand the views held by those you serve, but in the end, it''s your job to point the way forward. You weren''t hired to follow. You must lead.

Implicit in your mandate is the expectation you will learn from your mistakes, remain open to new ideas, and keep growing in the job. Political office is not just a responsibility, it''s a schooling, and you would be wise to take advantage of its lessons. In chapter 6, "Truth," I call upon you to stare into the face of your own shortcomings. We like to think we enter politics with a clear understanding of people, the issues, and even ourselves. The truth is we bring with us our very own biases, prejudices, and delusions. Honouring your demands you acknowledge your weaknesses and commit to self-improvement. My final chapter, "Be a Good One," details more specifically the attributes of a good representative as described over the centuries by a variety of thoughtful people. These keen insights will round out your understanding of the good character and integrity that distinguish our good politicians.

The quotations I''ve chosen for my book are from the many I''ve collected over the years. No living persons are quoted here. I have relied on the passage of time to bring wisdom into greater relief. I haven''t conducted in-depth research on the lives of those quoted. I''m not vouching for their impeccable character. I''m vouching for the utility and quality of the advice they offer. I haven''t changed the quotations to make them gender-neutral. I''ve been faithful to the original wording and trust readers will find value in the thoughts expressed, even though you and I might express them differently today.

Be careful about hanging your hat on any one quotation. History can offer us conflicting advice. Your challenge is to reconcile competing views. Politics, like life, can be messy. My advice is to glean what you can from the quotes and allow their combined effect to enhance the quality of your judgment. In the end, it always comes down to your judgment. That''s how, in the long run, you''ll be judged. I wish you, elected representatives, well, and I humbly commend to you this advice offered to us over the ages.