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Dealing effectively with the multitude of complex problems you’ll face upon assuming office will require the utmost political competence. It's important that you be aware of the lessons of past presidencies, no matter how much lip service you paid during the campaign to "change." Here are six:
It is crucial that a new president’s political skills be harnessed to an agenda—a coherent policy vision.
And because public support is so important, the new president should be an effective communicator at articulating that vision, just as FDR was during the Great Depression and World War II.
Because of the great complexity of the executive branch and the need to forge a strong team, you should be an able organizer, just as former Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower was when her became president.
Because of the gridlock-prone nature of the American political system, you must be politically skilled. This means dealing effectively with Congress. The best example of a president who excelled at this endeavor was Lyndon Johnson. Of course, you weren't previously Senate majority leader, as LBJ had been—but you know how Congress works. Use that knowledge.
Finally, you will need able aides to help you build on your strengths and mitigate his weakness. Presidents should employ aides with diverse viewpoints, and insist that they debate their views in the chief executive's presence. There should be no back channeling and end-runs.White House advisers must have the courage of their convictions—and not simply provide the advice they sense the president wants to hear.
None of these steps will guarantee success, but the absence of all—or some—of them are an invitation to failure.
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