How do public leaders handle the stress?

Question

I don't understand how leaders like the President can cope with so much responsiblity. How do you think they control the stress?

Answer 1

They must assemble very capable people around themselves and learn to subdelegate, while keeping an eye on what his subdelegees do.
As for the tripe thrown at politicians, they realize that this is the product of sick minds.

Answer 2

I'm sure your question was a back-handed way to deride the sitting President, but it does bring up an interesting question about politicians in general.

First, you are putting yourself in their position. *You* might not be able to handle everything you see and hear on the news, but they, as professional politicians, can, do, and, of course, must!

Second, public leaders realize that they are representing their constituents, and that failure to do so may cause them to lose any subsequent elections. If they don't realize that, of course, then there's no stress! (would YOU give a hoot if you didn't have to worry about your boss(es)?)

Third, individuals do not join politics, much less, any public service, without being fully aware of the responsibilities that may be foist upon them. Thus, they are either prepared for the stress, or they will fail. Contrary to films, such as "Mr Smith Goes to Washington", there are scant few truly naive people who believe that everything will be better once they get into politics (BTW, there's a nifty series on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre, "The Amazing Mrs Pritchard" which showcases a housewife who tries to put a commonsense, "everyman" approach into the political world she is inadvertently thrust into; it's the British version of "Mr Smith...", but quite different, too!).

Fourth, as with any other individual, most politicians find release from stress in various ways, whether it be to read a newspaper, watch TV, go fishing, bowling or swimming, play tennis or basketball, etc, etc, etc.

Fifth, as with any other job, it is one where politicians learn the ropes throughout their career. They will have plenty of mentors and associates to help them with their tasks, including how to handle stress.

In other words, stress is a normal part of virtually any job. The ones who control it or are blissfully ignorant of it will do well, while the ones who can't handle it will eventually fail.

Answer 3

Stress increases as your financial worth declines.

Stress, no matter how much, decreases as your financial worth climbs. Money buys an awful lot of stress reduction.

Yes....stress gets to all of us as human beings. But the President is not alone in dealing with his stress...he has an entire Cabinet to help deal with it.

Answer 4

Drugs, alcohol, sex with people they aren't supposed to be having sex with. Also treating those who are on a lower rung of the ladder like sh!t.

Answer 5

Airport bathrooms.

Answer 6

good question.

i guess thats why they look so tired (see heavy bags under their eyes)