Many people think about running for office only when they get frustrated with current leaders. They see problems and believe they can fix them. But real leadership doesn’t start on announcement day. It begins years earlier. Sheila Omoth Christensen makes this clear in her straightforward book GONNA RUN: Making the Decision to Run for Public Office. With over 50 years of experience as a candidate and campaign manager, she shows that strong leaders build their foundation long before any election.
Examine Your Motives First
Start with honest self-reflection. Ask yourself: Why do you want to run? Frustration alone isn’t enough. Christensen stresses that running requires a deep, consuming drive. You must enjoy teamwork. You need to handle long hours, knocking on doors, and living in the public eye. Your past mistakes, finances, and family will be examined closely. Have you built a life of integrity? Do people see you as reliable? These everyday habits form the core of leadership.
Get Involved in Your Community Early
Leadership grows through action. Join your political party now. Work on committees. Learn how politics works. Meet people who share your values. This early involvement helps you gain endorsements later. For local races like school board or city council, you might collect petition signatures or pay a fee. Higher offices usually need party support first. Without prior relationships, that support is hard to win.
Volunteer for causes you care about. Serve on local boards. Speak at community meetings. These steps build your reputation and network. They show voters you already lead before any campaign begins.
Prepare Your Family and Finances
Talk openly with your family. Campaigns demand huge amounts of time. Spouses and children often come second. Women candidates frequently face extra questions: “Who will handle the home? Who watches the kids?” Christensen shares real examples. Some mayors lost jobs. Businesses failed. Marriages ended. Discuss these risks now. Earn family support through clear, honest conversations.
Money matters too. You don’t need to be rich, but fundraising starts early. Practice asking for donations. Begin with friends and family. Send personal notes without naming small amounts. Build donor lists over time. Host small events to test the waters. These skills develop long before you need them in a race.
Build Your Public Skills and Image
Work on how you present yourself. Practice eye contact. Give clear, direct answers. Learn to stay calm under pressure. Christensen calls this “political body image.” Walk away from podiums during speeches to connect better. Develop charisma through repeated public roles.
Address broad issues, not just one side. Speak on education, health care, safety, and jobs. Show you understand people’s real concerns. Both men and women benefit from strong, approachable communication.
Why Starting Early Makes a Difference
Christensen warns that running puts you under a microscope. You face stress, rejection, and long hours. Build endurance now. Develop humor and patience. If you lack charisma, think twice; voters notice it.
The book doesn’t promise victory. It offers honest preparation. True leaders don’t wait for the right moment. They create it through steady effort. Volunteer. Build relationships. Live with integrity. Strengthen your family ties. Practice asking for support.
Have you started yet? If not, today is the day. GONNA RUN guides you through these early steps. It helps you decide if you’re ready and shows how to get there. Leadership isn’t a sudden spark. It’s consistent work over time. Begin now, and when the time comes to run, you’ll stand on solid ground.