Sola, Spanish political "guru" and "creator of presidents": "Bad communication leads to governance problems"
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Antonio Sola, a renowned Spanish political "guru" and "creator of presidents," shared insights on political strategy and communication.
- He emphasized the importance of the candidate's persona, purpose, values, determination, energy, and ideas over rigid ideology.
- Sola recounted impactful campaigns, including those in Haiti, Mexico, and Colombia, highlighting the emotional toll and strategic challenges faced.
Antonio Sola, a political strategist often dubbed a "guru" and "creator of presidents," recently shared his profound insights into the art of political campaigning and governance. Speaking at the World Summit of Political Communication in Uruguay, Sola underscored that crafting a successful presidency begins with the individual โ the "person." Beyond the candidate's inherent qualities, he stressed the necessity of building a "path of leadership" centered on a clear purpose for seeking the presidency. Sola outlined four crucial converging elements: values, determination, energy, and ideas, distinguishing them sharply from ideology, which he views as a detrimental force in modern politics. "Ideology is bread for today and hunger for tomorrow," he stated, suggesting that the era of rigid ideologies is waning. His perspective, shaped by extensive experience across numerous global campaigns, including 19 victories, offers a unique lens through which to view the evolving landscape of political communication. Sola's reflections are particularly relevant in Latin America, where he has been instrumental in shaping electoral outcomes, offering a non-Western perspective on campaign strategy that prioritizes authenticity and core principles over partisan dogma. His work with figures like Juan Manuel Santos in Colombia, Felipe Calderรณn in Mexico, and even his deeply personal involvement in Haitian campaigns, including the tragic assassination of Jovenel Moรฏse, underscores the high stakes and profound impact of his profession.
Con la persona, primero. Si no tienes persona, no tienes presidente.
Originally published by El Paรญs in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.