Psychologist Valderas: Psychology Essential for Political Leadership
Psychologist Maite Fernández Valderas's new book, Psychologist in Campaign, argues that effective political leadership requires deep psychological understanding to build trust and navigate public perception, which often views everything through the lens of elections.
"In the first year, you arrive; in the second, you plan; in the third, you act. By the fourth year, you realize nothing is truly believed because the public sees everything through the lens of elections." This is a key idea from psychologist Maite Fernández Valderas's book, Psychologist in Campaign (published by Canarias3puntocero Ediciones). The book is a guide for anyone involved in politics – from party members and public officials to the media and the general public. Essentially, it helps readers tell the difference between an honest, capable leader and someone who is merely a manufactured image.
In the book's introduction, Jordi Rodríguez Virgili, a Political Communication professor at the University of Navarra, explains the author's core message. He writes that the best leaders are calm, listen well, and show empathy. Strong teams, he adds, are built on trust, teamwork, and clear goals, not on fear or unquestioning loyalty. A candidate who enjoys the political journey inspires confidence, and a public official who understands themselves governs more effectively. In short, psychology isn't just a bonus in politics; it's absolutely necessary for effective leadership.
Maite Fernández Valderas, who won a Napolitan Victory Award in Washington for Best Political Blog of the Year (2024), tells her readers that taking on a public role is like "boarding a high-speed train that's already moving, and sometimes it's impossible to get off." She also shares her personal view: "As a psychologist, I have a deep interest in the individual behind the public position."
Fernández Valderas is an expert in business and organizational psychology, and she's been a certified professional coach since 2012. She founded ETIK, a "laboratory" where she developed the program Creating Political Leaders. This program equips political candidates and elected officials with practical tools, management approaches, communication skills, team leadership techniques, and motivational strategies, all drawn from the world of business and organizations. The aim is to build a trusting relationship where politicians feel comfortable sharing their concerns openly.