3 Ways to Encourage Leaders to be Builders

Let’s face it: politics are pretty toxic these days. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can help change the culture by encouraging leaders to act in more positive and respectful ways — to act like Builders. A Builder is someone who solves problems constructively, thinks flexibly, and respects the dignity of all people. 

Most Americans want less political toxicity — but change starts with speaking up. Every time you make your voice heard, you create ripples of positive change. The people you influence will, in turn, influence others. Your voice is probably more powerful than you think! 

Here are three ways you can encourage better behavior from leaders: 

1. Share your opinions in news outlets
2. Engage with leaders on social media
3. Contact leaders directly by phone or email 

Some tips before you start

When we refer to “leaders,” we don’t just mean elected leaders. It can be anyone you think has political influence — like a community leader, a corporate leader, or influential public figure. 

We suggest focusing on local and regional leaders and issues. National leaders get so many messages and coverage that it can be harder for your message to stand out. Local leaders, on the other hand, often have a closer connection to their region and constituents. (That said, if you want to write something about a national topic, don’t let us stop you!)

Criticism is often more effective when it comes from someone seen as an ally. For example, Democrats are more likely to listen to criticism from other Democrats than from Republicans (and vice versa). 

When offering criticism, speak respectfully and avoid personal insults.

Writing for news outlets

Publishing your opinion in a local newspaper can have a big impact. It sends a message to leaders — but also, just as importantly, to the broader community. 

There are two main ways to share your opinion: 

• A letter to the editor: A short piece (1-3 paragraphs) focused on recent topics covered by the outlet.
• Op-ed: These are longer pieces (~500-800 words) that explore timely issues in greater detail. These are harder to get published but can have a big impact.

Tips on submitting to news outlets: 

• Focus on local or regional outlets. 
• Check the outlet’s past pieces to get an idea of what they publish.
• For a guide to writing an opinion piece, see our opinion-piece templates.
• For general tips for writing and submitting pieces, see Letter-to-the-editor tips and Op-ed tips. 

Engaging on social media

Many leaders use social media to connect with the public. Your comments can send a strong message, showing support for positive behaviors or pushing back against toxic ones. Even if the leader doesn’t see your post, other people will — and that’s potentially even more impactful. 

• Example of positive feedback:
  “Thank you for listening to all sides on this issue, and working to bring people together. We need more leaders like you who focus on problem-solving!”
• Example of constructive criticism:
  “I agree with your overall points, but I think the way you’re talking about the ‘other side’ is too divisive. Let’s try to bring people together by speaking more respectfully and persuasively.”

Contacting leaders directly

Reaching out to leaders via phone or email can also make a difference.  To find contact info for your local elected officials, you can use this directory.

• Script for positive feedback:
  “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [City/Town]. I wanted to thank [Official’s Name] for their efforts on [specific issue]. I appreciate their willingness to work with their political opponents and focus on solutions.”
• Script for constructive criticism:
  “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [City/Town]. I wanted to share my concerns about [specific issue]. While I agree with your overall stance, I think your approach is a bit too divisive, which makes it harder to arrive at practical, long-lasting solutions.” 

Why this matters

Every time you encourage more positive and healthy political disagreement, you create ripples of change. The people you affect will in turn affect others. Whether it’s an op-ed, a social media post, or a phone call, your actions can inspire leaders and your fellow citizens to take more constructive approaches. 

By encouraging Builder-like behaviors in our leaders, we can help create a culture of respect and problem-solving at every level of government. Your voice matters — use it to make a difference!

Have other ideas for encouraging better behavior in leaders? Take this survey and share your thoughts. 

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