Here’s a blast from the past from the Psephology Today archives…
In his best-selling book, Outliers: The Story of Success, author Malcolm Gladwell discusses the “10,000-Hour Rule” – that to reach “expert” status in a business, industry or any other endeavor, you need to devote some 10,000 hours of study to master a particular skill or craft.
That comes to about five years if you devote full-time, 40 hours per week. Bear this in mind when and if you’re hiring campaign managers and consultants.
I’ve seen way too many candidates over the past 27 years who hired someone they *thought* was a political expert, only to find out – too late – that the guru really didn’t know what the hell he was doing.
Seriously, a lot of self-proclaimed campaign *experts* really only work on campaigns for six months every other year during an election cycle. The rest of the time in between is devoted to their “real” job trying to make ends meet before the next election.
Before spending big bucks on a campaign consultant or manager, bore down and find out exactly how much time this individual has really spent, not just working on campaigns, but studying and practicing the art and science of political campaigns.
If you’re a first-time candidate who knows very little about campaigns and elections, don’t be intimidated by your lack of knowledge when interviewing potential consultants and staff.
Because the fact is more candidates lose on Election Day, not because they were a bad candidate, but because their manager or consultant ran a lousy campaign.
Your campaign should not be somebody else’s “on the job training” program.
Dr. Chuck Muth, PsD
THE CAMPAIGN DOCTOR
Professor of Psephology*
(homeschooled)
* Psephology (see-FOLLOW-gee): The study of campaigns and elections
P.S. I have a special report that includes 40 questions you should ask a prospective campaign manager or consultant to find out if they REALLY know their stuff. You get it for free when you take a trial subscription to Psephology Today. See below for details.