I find it hard to separate the real and role self. In some sales scenarios I would say that it is almost imperative to keep the real and role self-intertwined. Sometimes a sale is more so about selling yourself, rather than selling the product. From my perspective, if one is selling themselves, it ought to be their real self, wholly reflecting their identity and worth, not simply a function within a relational context. This feels especially true when dealing with politics. If one is campaigning for votes, it truly comes down to selling the person to the voters. Surely, policy can be pitched to voters as a “product”, but often policy reflects the kind of person pitching the policy to begin with.
I hope to run for office one day. I have helped here and there with campaigns before, and I appreciate and enjoy the sales process involved. One problem I foresee with running for office is the potential for failure. Losing and election would be a rejection of me directly or indirectly. Either voters dislike the real me apart from my role (policy), or they reject me as a result of my policy, which I feel would be a reflection of the real me. Policy recommendations I put forth in my campaign reflect who I am and my beliefs and values. As a result, I think I will have to formulate a different plan to deal with potential rejection in politics, rather than using a real/ role model.
BoweryJE22
Ilike your reflection on the potential challenges of running for office and the fear of rejection. Indeed, political campaigns often hinge on personal connections and the electorate’s perception of the candidate as a person, not just their policy proposals.