Every time I meet someone who is paid to do political work they annoy me.

[crispini]

Well, not EVERY time, but I would say that at least three out of five times, when I meet someone who gets a salary and works for a PAC, they come across as an arrogant know it all. It's like they're transmitting this attitude like, "I'll tell you what will and won't work in this town, and I get to have more of an opinion than you do because I'm this big secret political insider because I GET PAID to do this job and you are just a lowly volunteer." Never asking any questions, never being open to the volunteers, never LISTENING, never paying any respect to the person in front of them, just this attitude that, "I know more than you."

Anyone else ever notice this? I'm not talking about non-profits here -- I'm talking about paid political operatives, the "insider" types.

Or maybe it's just me.... :shrug:

[Weembo]

1. 100%

The biggest problem with the Harris County Dems is keeping the paid folks from turning off the volunteers -- like the volunteer coordinator deciding to run things from home!

[PATRICK]

2. The reasons should be dealt with

Mandatory training for "professionals" should deal with salary/performance anxiety, insecurity in working with volunteers, etc. I can see why many might be over the edge before they even get to the phone. if we drafted campaign workers we would have a universal mix that would demand such training. As it is we have the volunteer/paid pro mix without thinking about how it operates psychologically.

[Warpy]

3. Yep, they're pretty annoying

Just make sure they don't know more than you do before you dismiss them completely. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Sometimes their superior knowledge breaks down into party propaganda and bullshit. Once in a blue moon they have an insight you wouldn't have gotten anywhere else.

Mostly, they're defensive.

The problem is that bosses tend to want brash go-getter types. What they need is laid back, teacher types.

[crispini]

4. Ah yes!

Thank you; that's given me a good insight.

It's all in who you want to "lead" your volunteers. A stereotypical idea of a leader is the alpha brash go-getter. But when working with us Democrats you need people who are willing to be more of the instructing nurturant type.