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Want to be a successful world leader? Do it the Angela Merkel way Want to be a successful world leader? Do it the Angela Merkel way
(1 day later)
Angela Merkel is one of only two EU leaders to have survived the economic crisis (she has done more than that; she has triumphed). She is set to become Europe's longest-serving elected female head of state; Forbes magazine says she is the second most powerful person in world. Yet she has little style and less charisma. She is not a good speaker. She takes for ever to make decisions, and displays no obvious political vision or even ideology. So what are the keys to her success? Could other world leaders take a leaf or two from her book? Angela Merkel is one of only two EU leaders to have survived the economic crisis (she has done more than that; she has triumphed). She is set to become Europe's longest-serving elected female head of government; Forbes magazine says she is the second most powerful person in world. Yet she has little style and less charisma. She is not a good speaker. She takes for ever to make decisions, and displays no obvious political vision or even ideology. So what are the keys to her success? Could other world leaders take a leaf or two from her book?
1. Be pragmatic and methodical at all times1. Be pragmatic and methodical at all times
It helps, perhaps, to have known the rigours of a planned economy, and cultivated a scientific mindset studying quantum physics. But mainly, it's a character thing: as a child, Merkel wanted to know in advance what her Christmas presents were, "even if it spoiled the surprise. It mattered more to give structure to my life and to avoid chaos." Her task, she says, is "to advance and solve problems. Even if it is only a few centimetres."It helps, perhaps, to have known the rigours of a planned economy, and cultivated a scientific mindset studying quantum physics. But mainly, it's a character thing: as a child, Merkel wanted to know in advance what her Christmas presents were, "even if it spoiled the surprise. It mattered more to give structure to my life and to avoid chaos." Her task, she says, is "to advance and solve problems. Even if it is only a few centimetres."
2) Avoid risk at all costs2) Avoid risk at all costs
In a similarly revealing anecdote, Merkel has said that while still at school she once stood on a diving board for a full hour before being able to jump: "That's how I am; not particularly courageous. I always need time to weigh up the risks." Know the policies – same-sex marriage, female employment quotas – that look like trouble, and leave them to others. Say: "Personally, I'm all in favour. Sadly, we just can't implement them right now."In a similarly revealing anecdote, Merkel has said that while still at school she once stood on a diving board for a full hour before being able to jump: "That's how I am; not particularly courageous. I always need time to weigh up the risks." Know the policies – same-sex marriage, female employment quotas – that look like trouble, and leave them to others. Say: "Personally, I'm all in favour. Sadly, we just can't implement them right now."
3) Deliberately dull the issues3) Deliberately dull the issues
Go further and defuse the fiercest conflicts with your opposition. Grab the middle ground by stealing your opponents' most popular policies – abandoning nuclear power, raising social security benefits for families, capping rent rises, promising a minimum wage – but promise your own supporters that none of this will lead to tax hikes. Lull opposition voters into a false sense of security; persuade them they can safely stay at home. Then you can run on popularity, not issues.Go further and defuse the fiercest conflicts with your opposition. Grab the middle ground by stealing your opponents' most popular policies – abandoning nuclear power, raising social security benefits for families, capping rent rises, promising a minimum wage – but promise your own supporters that none of this will lead to tax hikes. Lull opposition voters into a false sense of security; persuade them they can safely stay at home. Then you can run on popularity, not issues.
4) Know what your country wants4) Know what your country wants
When an opportunity arises, for example, to go to war, don't. Your people really, really don't want to. Play safe on Iraq; commit the bare minimum to Afghanistan; oppose intervention in Libya and Syria.When an opportunity arises, for example, to go to war, don't. Your people really, really don't want to. Play safe on Iraq; commit the bare minimum to Afghanistan; oppose intervention in Libya and Syria.
5) Have a plan – but never reveal it5) Have a plan – but never reveal it
In fact, never mention plans, visions or ideologies. In public, stick to homilies about "good housekeeping" – but in private, pursue and attain your objectives. There exists, allegedly, a Merkel plan to save the euro, on a single piece of paper. But has she ever disclosed her game? Has she heck.In fact, never mention plans, visions or ideologies. In public, stick to homilies about "good housekeeping" – but in private, pursue and attain your objectives. There exists, allegedly, a Merkel plan to save the euro, on a single piece of paper. But has she ever disclosed her game? Has she heck.
6) Be ruthless within your party6) Be ruthless within your party
Chancellor Helmut Kohl made Merkel, but in 1999 she broke ranks and declared, in a front-page newspaper article, that the campaign finance scandal he was embroiled in had wrecked the CDU. The following year, she took over a party in which, even today, she has no serious rival.Chancellor Helmut Kohl made Merkel, but in 1999 she broke ranks and declared, in a front-page newspaper article, that the campaign finance scandal he was embroiled in had wrecked the CDU. The following year, she took over a party in which, even today, she has no serious rival.
7) Be mum to a country7) Be mum to a country
But make sure it's Germany. "Mutti", the Germans call her. She gets them; they get her. She makes few mistakes, and when she does – she initially downplayed the euro crisis – she gets away with it. But when all's said and done, Germany works (in both senses of the word) and is prospering. Which, perhaps, makes it easier to look like a good mum.But make sure it's Germany. "Mutti", the Germans call her. She gets them; they get her. She makes few mistakes, and when she does – she initially downplayed the euro crisis – she gets away with it. But when all's said and done, Germany works (in both senses of the word) and is prospering. Which, perhaps, makes it easier to look like a good mum.
• This article was amended on 24 September 2013. An earlier version referred to Angela Merkel as head of state. She is the chancellor and therefore head of government. The president, Joachim Gauck, is head of state.
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