Does praising your opponent make you look weak?
When a leader praises their political rival on television, most spin doctors would squirm.
But is it actually a master class in trust-building?
As always, my comments here are not political statements – they’re observations about communication style and effectiveness. You be the judge.
Last week, NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane appeared on ABC’s Stateline and was asked about Premier Chris Minns’ increased popularity after his Bondi terror attack response.
Rather than going the traditional route and finding reasons to bag out her opponent, Ms Sloane said:
“This might be a strange thing for an opposition leader to say but I’m pleased that people felt that they were cared for in that moment by their leader.”
It might sound like a throwaway line, but I saw it as a refreshing (and strategic) choice. Amid the usual political point-scoring, her comments stood out as both authentic and elegant.
Now, it wasn’t all sweetness and light. Asked what she saw as the Premier’s greatest weakness, she described him as a people-pleaser.
Even while criticising what she saw as a lack of action and hard decisions, she reinforced some positives; that his empathy and willingness to apologise have resonated well, and that “He says all the right things and people like him, and I like him.”
Why did this stand out?
Authenticity builds trust - and trust is the most valuable currency for any leader.
When you genuinely acknowledge the strengths of someone with an opposing view, you signal that:
You're secure in your own leadership or position
You’re not threatened by excellent performance in others, even if they’re an opponent
You see those around you as people first and are able to praise their positive human traits; they’re not just a polar opposite of you
This is what I call Authentic Clarity, one of the pillars of my framework for working with leaders under pressure.
What most leaders get wrong
They think they’ll look weak if they praise their competition.
But the opposite is true. Constant criticism and negativity create distrust.
When you praise someone fairly (not smarmily), it enhances your own believability.
What this means for leadership beyond politics
Whether you’re leading a business, a team or a community:
Giving credit where it’s due doesn't diminish your performance
Being fair isn’t being soft.
Credible leaders openly respect others with different views
In high-stakes environments, whether that’s in a boardroom, a media interview or a tough staff conversation – credibility remains your super-power.
