Today is the first Tuesday in November…election day somewhere.

Have you ever wondered why so many people in politics never seem to actually solve problems and do what is right?  The explanation is actually rather simple:

Many politicians exhibit those traits that are characteristic of unsuccessful people.

In what world of relationships, work, church, community or business would a person succeed by taking credit for good things, blaming others for bad things, doing only what makes them popular, telling people only what they want to hear, ignoring tough issues, making expedient selfish decisions, avoiding making the hard decisions and living every day criticizing and carrying grudges towards anyone with whom they disagree?

Honestly, if you knew a person like that at church or at the Starbucks, you would not choose to be close to them.  A CEO like that is not a CEO very long.  A pastor like that would not accomplish much. A friend like that would not be a good friend. But politicians like that get re-elected and keep their jobs.

Mary Ellen Tribby, founder and CEO at WorkingMomsOnly.com compiled a very interesting list of traits that are characteristic of successful and unsuccessful people.

Successful People Have a sense of gratitude Forgive others Accept responsibility for their failures Compliment Read everyday Keep a journal Talk about ideas Want others to succeed Share information and data Keep a “to-be” list Exude joy Keep a “to-do/project” list Set goals and develop life plans Embrace change Give other people credit for their victories Operate from a transformational perspective

Unsuccessful People Have a sense of entitlement Hold a grudge Blame others for their failures Criticize Watch TV everyday Say they keep a journal but don’t Talk about people Secretly hope others fail Horde information and data Don’t know what they want to be Exude anger Fly by their seat of their pants Never set goals Fear change Take all the credit of their victories Operate from a transactional perspective

Re-read the above material and insert “author” in the place of “politician”.  The publishing business is one of many businesses where interpersonal skills are the most useful. Call it a “people-business”.

You don’t need to be perfect. But if you decide to exude joy, give the publisher credit for what they do, embrace change, have a sense of gratitude and forgiveness and even hope that other authors succeed, you might not sell more books, but your blood pressure will be lower, you will have more friends and maybe, just maybe, you’ll actually enjoy this nutty industry.

I know I started with politics, but what does this post spark in you today OTHER than politics?