"My guiding principle was to place myself in a position of power so that I could help people with good ideas see those ideas realized"
I just finished the memoir of Mayor Willie Brown. Since I was young, I was always fascinated by Mayor Willie Brown. He was a powerful, swaggy, Black politician in San Francisco. And, even as a young girl, I always had a strong attraction towards older men. LOL...Mayor Willie Brown was high on that list. That's how I knew him, as Mayor Willie Brown of San Francisco. It was not until I interned at the state capitol that I learned that Mayor Willie Brown was also the Speaker of the House. That's like a big deal! My first time I actually had the chance to meet Willie Brown was as an intern in Assembly member Sandre Swanson office. SIDE NOTE: It wasn't until I worked at the capitol that I was infatuated with "famous" people. I never really showed much enthusiasm with seeing your average celebrity. However, politicians...and Black politicians, just thrilled me. I think I was mostly impressed with the power that came with their positions. Also, it was motivational to me. To think that one day I could be in a position of power and actually make impact on communities.
Okay...back to Willie Brown. So one day I am at my desk, doing who knows what...and I hear a voice come to our door. It was Slick Willie! LOL...and I say that because that was just his demeanor. He didn't come all the way into the door, but hung on to the side. So, really he just peaked his head in. I can't recall what he ended up saying, but he yelled out something and our whole office just laughed. Well not me, my jaw just dropped. I was totally freaking out. Like, OMG, that was Mayor Willie Brown. Looking as good as ever. See its something about a man with power and style. Yum...lol
It was at the capitol that I also learned that Willie Brown had been married for like 100 years; however, he maintained relationships with girlfriends. Like, where they do that at? LOL. It was never a real scandal, it was just Willie Brown. So, I picked up his book and decided to learn more about the man I admired.
In reading about Willie Brown and his claim to political fame, I just learned more about the game of politics. Willie Brown mastered building relationships with the opposition and his supporters. This is what helped to propel him in his career. He was also well liked. Just a personable guy. He remained connected to those at the bottom and also built friendships with the "leadership class." He also demanded respect, and learned how to push his agenda. He kept his wife happy by supporting his family financially. It seems as though that family however took a background role to his political life. As stated in his book, Sundays was the days he spent with his children.
The biggest lesson that I learned from Willie Brown is being tactful. Being strategic in the moves you make and the relationships that you build. You can be a community servant and also be fly! Charisma is a skill, and it is to be used to your advantage. With power comes responsibility, and never lose sight of that. No matter what you do, be the BEST! Honesty and integrity are important for longevity in any career.
Willie Brown advice is: "learn that consensus is what you to build even to get the most righteous idea across; make friends and be loyal; instill and demand allegiance; learn the value of intelligence; be tolerant; keep the public interest paramount"
I just finished the memoir of Mayor Willie Brown. Since I was young, I was always fascinated by Mayor Willie Brown. He was a powerful, swaggy, Black politician in San Francisco. And, even as a young girl, I always had a strong attraction towards older men. LOL...Mayor Willie Brown was high on that list. That's how I knew him, as Mayor Willie Brown of San Francisco. It was not until I interned at the state capitol that I learned that Mayor Willie Brown was also the Speaker of the House. That's like a big deal! My first time I actually had the chance to meet Willie Brown was as an intern in Assembly member Sandre Swanson office. SIDE NOTE: It wasn't until I worked at the capitol that I was infatuated with "famous" people. I never really showed much enthusiasm with seeing your average celebrity. However, politicians...and Black politicians, just thrilled me. I think I was mostly impressed with the power that came with their positions. Also, it was motivational to me. To think that one day I could be in a position of power and actually make impact on communities.Okay...back to Willie Brown. So one day I am at my desk, doing who knows what...and I hear a voice come to our door. It was Slick Willie! LOL...and I say that because that was just his demeanor. He didn't come all the way into the door, but hung on to the side. So, really he just peaked his head in. I can't recall what he ended up saying, but he yelled out something and our whole office just laughed. Well not me, my jaw just dropped. I was totally freaking out. Like, OMG, that was Mayor Willie Brown. Looking as good as ever. See its something about a man with power and style. Yum...lol
It was at the capitol that I also learned that Willie Brown had been married for like 100 years; however, he maintained relationships with girlfriends. Like, where they do that at? LOL. It was never a real scandal, it was just Willie Brown. So, I picked up his book and decided to learn more about the man I admired.
In reading about Willie Brown and his claim to political fame, I just learned more about the game of politics. Willie Brown mastered building relationships with the opposition and his supporters. This is what helped to propel him in his career. He was also well liked. Just a personable guy. He remained connected to those at the bottom and also built friendships with the "leadership class." He also demanded respect, and learned how to push his agenda. He kept his wife happy by supporting his family financially. It seems as though that family however took a background role to his political life. As stated in his book, Sundays was the days he spent with his children.
The biggest lesson that I learned from Willie Brown is being tactful. Being strategic in the moves you make and the relationships that you build. You can be a community servant and also be fly! Charisma is a skill, and it is to be used to your advantage. With power comes responsibility, and never lose sight of that. No matter what you do, be the BEST! Honesty and integrity are important for longevity in any career.
Willie Brown advice is: "learn that consensus is what you to build even to get the most righteous idea across; make friends and be loyal; instill and demand allegiance; learn the value of intelligence; be tolerant; keep the public interest paramount"
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