8 Leadership Lessons from Election MVP John King

Illustration by Laetro

“Dad, I think I want to be John King when I grow up.”

Yes, that’s an actual quote from my fifteen year-old-son, Jack. Big words from a kid that doesn’t want to do his English homework, I thought. But Jack was serious about his love for CNN’s indefatigable anchor and election map wizard. John King even earned the highest form of compliment from my teenager — a TikTok video. And I understand why.

There is nothing more inspiring than watching someone at the top of their game. As he nimbly works the magic board and engages talking head after talking head, John King is giving us a masterclass in communication. He’s magnetic and absurdly competent, exactly when we need it most.

As we all binge-watch election coverage and munch on every imaginable snack food, I think we can all learn some lessons from John on how to lead through the most uncertain of times.

1. Know your stuff. Every leader needs to do their homework, and John certainly has. He can rattle off obscure facts about virtually every state and county on a moment’s notice. Like a great teacher, John has such deep knowledge of his field that he can explain complicated scenarios in plain language. As a leader, you need to speak clearly and make the complex simple.
2. Stay balanced. Even though CNN is slanted toward a Democratic audience, John refuses to spike the ball. He avoids jumping to conclusions and explains the possible electoral pathways for both Trump and Biden, maintaining that both parties have the right to request a recount. Part of being a good leader is to eschew favoritism and listen — truly listen — to competing perspectives. Making people feel heard unlocks credibility and trust.
3. Constant communication. John King has the unenviable task of saying the same thing over and over again — for hundreds of hours on end. And yet, he has the ability to make the seemingly mundane mesmerizing. So mesmerizing, in fact, that people are literally glued to the screen. The truth is that it’s impossible to over-communicate as a leader. But you should find different approaches — written, spoken, visual — to engage your team in your company’s purpose and communicate what matters.
4. Master the technology. John rocks that magic wall like no one else, effortlessly manipulating the board to reveal insights. In our digital age, it’s an absolute must to invest in a great tech set-up and master all aspects of it. Digital communication is only as good as the ideas behind it — but you’ve got to do the easy stuff well.
5. Grace under pressure. Working the magic board around the clock in front of millions of agitated viewers is hardly a walk in the park, especially when it involves — horror of horrors — public math. When the tech glitches or Wolf interrupts at an inopportune moment, John rolls with the twists and turns. In a moment of crisis, leaders should take a deep breath and stay calm. Like a student of improv acting, receive interruptions with a “yes, and” mentality to work seamlessly with others.
6. Preparation and stamina. While covering the election, John got an average of three hours’ sleep per day, and he spent the weeks ahead of time preparing to be in peak performance mode. “Regular exercise is always critical to me,” John says. “I was mindful for weeks beforehand… Nothing fancy — walking on the treadmill, rower, light weights.” As a leader, there will be times when you must summon an inhuman amount of energy and stamina. Take care of yourself and prepare for those moments — and then embrace the discomfort and push on through it.
7. Humility and gratitude. Despite being a lynchpin of the newsroom, John deflects praise and uses the word “we” when talking about the efforts of his team. When talking to poll-workers, he expresses his gratitude and lets them know he “knows they’re busy.” As a leader, your job is to create the conditions for others to shine. Success is a team sport, and everyone on the team has a role to play. Expressing gratitude is a way to appreciate your team and make them feel proud to be part of something bigger than themselves.
8. Joy. There’s just no substitute for loving what you do. “Corny, maybe,” says John. “But I love elections and love seeing turnout up across the board.” He’s having fun, and it shows. And his enthusiasm is infectious — at a time when we sorely need it.