Sara Gideon: Speaker, Maine House.

AuthorAndrade, Jane Carroll
PositionTHE FINAL WORD

Sara Gideon is serving her first term as speaker and third term in Maine's House of Representatives. A native of Rhode Island, Gideon earned her bachelor's degree in international affairs from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., then worked in New York City as an advertising account executive at USA Today. She and her husband, Ben, moved to Ben's native Maine in 2004. Gideon served as vice chair of the Freeport Town Council before running for her legislative seat.

What are the top traits of a good leader? I would point to two personality traits which are probably most instrumental in becoming a successful leader-empathy and patience. As a leader, you have to be willing to listen to every single person and know the reason why they have come to do their job. And you have to do it in a way that is true and genuine, so you can help everyone continue to come together.

What is your top legislative priority? It is aimed at lifting families out of poverty first, and secondly, lifting all families into whatever their personal prosperity can be. I have been systematically working on that one piece at a time.

You've had your disagreements with the governor. What advice do you have for colleagues who experience similar conflicts? The most important thing for navigating conflict with anyone--whether they hold a higher office or they're your peer--is communication. That communication has to continue even when you're disagreeing. One of the most important things I have learned and put into practice as a leader is that you have to have the ability to empathize with where somebody else is coming from, even when you disagree or vehemently disagree. If you're able to do that, you can ultimately land--even if it's through a painful process-on a solution.

What do you hope your legacy will be? What I strive for is for the legislature to be a place where it feels like something anybody can do. There tends to be a feeling in legislatures that if you are not retired or a very young person before you have a family, it's really difficult or impossible to do. One of my goals has been to make this a place where people feel like they can come and work and also have a life outside of work, be the parent they want to be, and do the really, really important work which should be done by people who are like everyone else.

What led you to run for office? When my children were born, I stayed home with them. During those years, I couldn't figure out a way to go...

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