Manitoba Stronger Together

Campaign Readiness, Public Engagement & Transition to Office

Purpose:

This worksheet helps you reflect on how you communicate, listen, respond under pressure, manage support, and transition responsibly into public office — without relying on performative campaigning.

This worksheet is for your own use unless you choose otherwise.

Section 1 — Message Clarity & Personal Grounding

1. How clearly can you explain why you are running — without slogans or exaggeration?
Write a brief explanation in plain language.

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2. When challenged or criticized, what is your most common instinctive reaction?

☐ Defend immediately
☐ Explain at length
☐ Withdraw
☐ Pause and respond calmly
☐ Unsure

Which response builds trust — and which risks eroding it?

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Section 2 — Direct Conversations & Listening

3. During one-on-one conversations, which do you naturally do more?

☐ Speak
☐ Listen
☐ Alternate evenly

What adjustments might help you listen more effectively?

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4. How comfortable are you asking open-ended questions and allowing silence?

☐ Very comfortable
☐ Somewhat comfortable
☐ Uncomfortable
☐ Unsure

Why does silence feel easy or difficult for you?

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Section 3 — Public Meetings & Scrutiny

5. How do you feel about answering questions when you don’t yet know the answer?

☐ Comfortable acknowledging limits
☐ Somewhat uneasy
☐ Very uncomfortable
☐ I tend to speculate

What response best protects credibility?

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6. How well do you distinguish between your personal views and municipal authority when speaking publicly?

☐ Very clearly
☐ Somewhat clearly
☐ Unclear
☐ Unsure

What risks arise when this distinction is blurred?

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Section 4 — Volunteers, Support & Boundaries

7. How comfortable are you setting boundaries with supporters or volunteers?

☐ Very comfortable
☐ Somewhat comfortable
☐ Uncomfortable
☐ I avoid it

Why are boundaries important for integrity and consistency?

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8. Which pressure would be hardest for you to resist?

☐ Push for aggressive tactics
☐ Advice from “campaign experts”
☐ Desire to maintain momentum
☐ Fear of disappointing supporters

How will you stay aligned with your values?

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Section 5 — Transitioning Into Office

9. How prepared are you to shift from advocating positions to explaining decisions?

☐ Very prepared
☐ Somewhat prepared
☐ Aware but unsure
☐ Unprepared

What mindset changes will be required?

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10. How do you typically respond to accountability or criticism after a decision is made?

☐ Defensive
☐ Over-explanatory
☐ Calm and factual
☐ Avoidant

Which response sustains trust over time?

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Final Reflection

11. Which aspect of public engagement concerns you the most — and why?

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12. What personal habits or reminders will help you remain calm, grounded, and honest under public pressure?

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13. After completing Module 6, how prepared do you feel to engage the public without campaigning theatrics?

☐ Very prepared
☐ Moderately prepared
☐ Thoughtful but cautious
☐ Still unsure

What additional support would help most?

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Closing Note

Public trust is not earned through visibility or certainty —
it is earned through consistency, humility, and clarity.

Revisit this worksheet whenever public pressure rises or expectations feel misaligned.