Recruiting a Winning Team

The Andrew Principle

Campaigning 101

jb blocker

John 1: 40  One of the two who heard Jesus speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter)

  

  You don’t hear much about Andrew the apostle. We know he was one of the first to be chosen by Jesus along with James and John. Later in the Bible, he is the one who brings the boy to Jesus with the fish and loaves that feed thousands. He is also at the resurrection. But Andrew is also mentioned for one other thing that has resonated throughout the ages.
  You see, Andrew met Jesus and went to his brother Simon to tell him he had found the Savior! Simon's name was changed to Peter. "Upon this rock, I will build my church."

  That is some really good recruiting! That is like finding Babe Ruth and introducing him to baseball. 

I call it ‘The Andrew Principle’.

In campaigning for a civic office, you really need a few Peters. He or She is the one who thousands listen to. They have a network, respect, and usually access to donors.

  But Peter is hard to get to.  They are very protective of their resources and are exceptionally aware of how their good name can be used or misused.  You often have to go through others they trust just to get to them.

  Every Peter has their Andrews. They can’t be that successful without dependable trusted people in their lives. Whether those are family or friends, they are the people who can unlock the doors that lead to the Peters.

Looking for Andrew

 

  Peters might be fewer, but they aren’t more important than Andrews. The nice thing is that Andrews are everywhere and they are flowers waiting for a little water and sunlight. Often they are the wallflowers at a meet and greet who are quietly observing. If they are at a political event, they are looking for something or someone.  Don’t mistake their restraint for lack of passion. These Andrews are pretty reliable judges of people. They spend their time learning through their eyes and not their mouths. 

  Others tend to be worker bees staying busy and being reliable. They will knock on doors, put out signs, work the polls, address mailers, and show up as reliably as the sun rises and sets. Many keep just those hours. A candidate can’t succeed without these key people. They contribute more than money.

Bio-Electric Energy Exchange 

  So, how do you make that special relationship bloom? Seek them out and Make Contact! Look them in the eye when you greet them and repeat their name. For just that moment, don’t be looking for the next person.

  Lay your hands on them. If you shake their hands (and you should), actually take those few important seconds to make it warm and thoughtful. If you hug, make it real. They might need that hug. You probably do too.  Do not talk politics until you make a personal connection.

  Write down names or exchange contact information. That one move gives each person the courtesy of being important. Ask them to follow up with advice or opinions at a later date. There you go, you just set up a second date!

  Ask for them to join the Team. That is what we call An Invitation.

  Remember that at any given time with anyone, you may have been the only person that day or even in many days that made them feel important. Conversely, do you want to be another person who ignored them?

  You never know if the exchange might not lift someone. I find that it usually does. You never know how that person might matter to you sooner or later. Or how you might matter to them more than you will ever know.  And remember, everyone can use another friend.

 

  Andrews are not just the gateway to Peters. There is a reason the Peters respect their opinions. They are reliable, dedicated, trusted people who want to be a part of something bigger. They are just waiting to be asked.

  Don’t let them down. Lift them up! They will do the same for you.

 

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962.