Money, Policy, and Power:

What Candidate Leadership Really Looks Like

 

When people think about running for office, they often focus on the logistics—how to file, what to say, how to get votes. But real leadership goes deeper than that. It’s not just about being prepared. It’s about being aligned. In my work coaching first-time candidates, I’ve seen three core areas that either elevate a campaign or quietly erode it: money, policy, and power. 

 

Let’s talk about what it means to lead in each of these areas—not just functionally, but from a place of integrity and intention.

 

Money, Policy, & Power

Money: Lead with Clarity, Not Fear

Money is one of the biggest mindset hurdles for new candidates. Whether it’s asking for donations, managing a campaign budget, or simply believing you're worth investing in, money will test your clarity and your courage.

Leadership in this area means:

• Being transparent and ethical in how you raise and use funds

• Learning to ask for support from a place of service, not shame

• Making smart, strategic decisions with every dollar

Remember: money isn’t the goal. It’s the fuel. And your relationship with it will shape the energy of your entire campaign.

 

Policy: Know What You Stand For

A campaign without a clear policy vision is just noise. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need to know what matters to you and why. Voters don’t expect perfection; they expect honesty, values, and a willingness to learn.

Leading on policy means:

• Understanding the issues that impact your community the most

• Being able to clearly connect your values to your policy positions

• Staying open to growth and nuance without losing your core convictions

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having a compass.

 

Power: Use It to Elevate, Not Control

This is the one people don’t talk about enough. Power isn’t a bad word. But how you hold it—how you use your voice, your platform, your decision-making authority—reveals everything about your leadership. In Candidate School, we talk about power as a responsibility, not a weapon.

Leading with power means:

• Making space for others while standing confidently in your own role

• Knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when to hold the line

• Understanding the long-term impact of your presence in a room

You don’t earn power by demanding it. You earn it by showing up with integrity again and again.

 

You can be the most polished candidate in the race, but if you’re not grounded in your approach to money, policy, and power, it will show.

 

At Candidate School, we teach more than strategy—we teach leadership from the inside out. Because that’s what gets remembered, that’s what gets respected. And ultimately, that’s what wins.