Life in general and politics in particular can be very instructive for how leaders communicate. Both are full of examples, positive and negative.

It isn’t constructive to focus on the problem alone if you can’t offer a solution. Anybody can spot a problem; leaders help solve them.

Attacking your opponent is a weak strategy; focus on the substance of your disagreement, not the personality  behind it.

Spotlighting only what’s right is as credibility-killing as spotlighting only what’s wrong. Realistic leaders address the good and the bad.

Taking credit is never as just nor effective as sharing credit.

Accepting complete responsibility, even when others are involved, is the price of leadership. Leaders use the word “we” to talk about victory and the work “I” to talk about failure. Life isn’t always fair and neither is leadership.

Generalities are less helpful than specifics. When a leader’s message is vague, that is always an indicator that the leader him- or herself is vague.

Leaders disagree by engaging and discussing, not attacking and name-calling.

The low road is easy and heavily traveled; the high road these days is rarely crowded.