The One Who Inspires Wins

I think I've said it before but who can keep track: I'm not paying much attention to the upcoming election. Maybe I've lost hope in American politicians and their politics...maybe I never had hope in them in the first place. I think both major parties are lost in different parts of the woods and both have a hard time being honest about what can actually be done to affect change. I'm also tired of one man or one party saying that they are the solution to our problems.

That said, someone is going to win the election and it's not going to be the smartest or most qualified person. Consider John Kerry's credentials: Yale Graduate, Vietnam Vet with several medals of honor (including 3 purple hearts), Boston Law School Graduate and 10th most senior US Senator. How could Kerry lose against Bush in 2004? He failed to inspire. The guy doesn't relate to people well and he doesn't speak with passion.

From Kerry we can learn that in order to succeed, one must relate to people in a meaningful way. You must be likeable enough and different enough that you neither chase people away nor isolate yourself. Differentiated but attached is how a therapist might put it. Knowing your stuff is not enough to inspire.  It may open doors but it is not effective at keeping them open. When someone believes that you really care for them as a person, the door stays open. People can't get enough of authentic validation.

I know a lot of people who write either for a living or as a hobby. There are some who write at such a high level of thought that I can't relate to them. It's clear that they know what they're talking about but they aren't talking to me - they aren't thinking about inspiring. There are others who don't write nearly as well but they have the ability to inspire, to connect. They are memorable because they spoke to me and there words were animated (inspired) by connection.

Mr. Obama, Mr. Romney, Mr. Gingrich...You're not the solution...we are. Empower us. Inspire us. 

Who inspires you most? What are the stories that have been most inspirational to you? If you feel that you inspire people, what are some of the things you do to inspire. Please share...