7 Qualities we need in the next Conservative Leader

With the contest to replace Andrew Scheer on, let’s look closer at the kind of qualities we need in a leader. Leadership races are always about one thing: can you win. In 2017, defeating Justin Trudeau seemed like a long shot and members looked inwards for winnability, who amongst those running had the best shot at victory? Today, the party looks outwards at a Justin Trudeau who seems beatable next time. It’s a race that matters in a bigger way.

Let’s put aside the resume and related qualifications. Of course, business, military or other life experience would be great. Bilingualism likely required. Being from the right part of the country matters. And an ability to hold the base together while adding new voters required to win next time is mission critical.

And no doubt, there will be more than enough talk about what type of conservative bonafides are needed.

Before we get too far down the road, lets take a different look and examine the qualities that leader needs to have to enable all the right pieces to fall into place for victory next election.

What qualities does a Conservative leader need in the 2020’s?

1. A creative mind. Today’s world moves faster than ever. The challenges we face are different and seem to grow by the day. Only those who come up with solutions we haven’t thought about yet will be seen as credible to implement them. You have to be open to doing things differently in a world that demands it. Do they have original ideas that challenge us to move forward? Are they able to help define the conversation about what it means to be a conservative – and what are conservative approaches – in Canada in the 2020s?

2. An ability to inspire confidence. This is about giving voters confidence you’ll act in a right, just or effective manner. It’s about more than just being a strong leader. Leaders on the left benefit from people believing their heart is in the right place, so when things go wrong their motives aren’t questioned. The right doesn’t get that benefit of the doubt. Conservatives have to show and prove they can deliver. The only way to do that is to exude the competence and confidence that can actually get things done. This includes confidence in himself or herself, as well as their ability to lead. Leaders who possess this ability build trust, motivate others and draw people in.

3. Bring something different. Conservatives could use a round peg in the square hole once in a while. Central casting is full of those who look, sound and act exactly like what you’d expect from a Conservative party. Women, minorities and those with different life experiences might bring something valuable and help build new coalitions. So would a unique personality, leadership style or approach we haven’t see in recent times. Bringing something different to the table will help jumpstart much needed brand revitalization. A way to get voters to take a second look and make our party more relevant to those we need to connect with.

4. Showcase their values. Voters want to see your values. If you don’t define them, your opponents will fill the void – and as we saw in the 2019 election it can get ugly. Leaders today have to be willing to talk about why they want to do things. Voters are busy people who don’t pay attention to all the details. But they are looking for signals from political leaders. Will you look out for people like me? Do we care about the same things? Values connect that. It will be critical for a leader to share values with the types of voters in urban and suburban Canada the conservatives need to win over.

5. Have a sense of purpose. It needs to be about something bigger than power or compromise. Conservatives have become transactional. Focused on the here and now. Obsessed over pocketbook politics. Yet elections are about much bigger things these days. A leader needs to have a genuine, big and bold vision for where they want Canada to go in the decades ahead. The strongest brands in the marketing world are built around purpose, the same is true in politics.

6. Strong communicator. A Leader has to be able to actually sell the message in a way that works in the 2020s. They have to be able to connect with audiences in an authentic manner. So much of this takes place on social media. But it’s bigger than that, does your style and approach allow you to punch through to distracted audiences. Do people care what you have to say? Only the strongest communicators can accomplish this.

7. Youthful enthusiasm. This isn’t simply about generational change. Boundless energy and enthusiasm is required in leaders today. There isn’t time for “Low Energy” candidates who just have good ideas anymore. Selling big ideas, having a vision and leading a party requires endless energy.

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