How to think like a political advisor

...and use it to design your life.

When we think of the political world, the names of presidents, prime ministers, and lawmakers come to mind. But the true architects of political success often remain in the shadows. These are the political advisors, the ones who see angles no one else does. I've been one of them for more than twenty years.

Don't mistake an entourage for a political advisor.

An entourage is a group of followers or buddies that surround politicians. A political advisor, on the other hand, is the strategic mind that turns ideas into action. They're not friends, and sometimes they don’t even share the politician’s ideology. Yet, they’re the ones who, behind the scenes, shape the narrative of a successful political career.

Senior political advisors, as I was, are typically responsible for writing speeches, conducting policy research, providing support and analysis, and offering communication assistance to the team handling media relations.

To perform this role effectively, a senior advisor must be close enough…