Macht und Müdigkeit

Sometimes you have to stop in order to truly start. Politicians are seen as alpha animals, power-conscious and unwilling to relinquish responsibility. Those who really want to make a change must reach the control centers of power, and the path there is rocky. Weaknesses must not be shown, there are virtually no breaks, too little time for family or friends, and especially for oneself. But that’s the only way to stay in the game.

Antje Kapek has experienced this as well. In 2012, she took over as the leader of the Green Party faction in the Berlin House of Representatives – even though she was pregnant with her second child at the time. What followed were 18-hour days, phone interviews from the delivery room, and nonstop availability. On top of that, there was often an aggressive tone, not only online but also among colleagues. Eventually, it became too much for Kapek. At the beginning of 2022, she unexpectedly stepped down from her position as faction leader. Not due to any misconduct, but because she no longer wanted to continue in that way. The price was too high.

In her book, Kapek provides insights behind the scenes of political operations and reveals the often prevalent self-exploitation there. This is more than just a private problem for those involved, because let’s be honest: Do we really want the most important decisions about our lives and our future to be made by completely exhausted, pressured individuals? How can we expect politicians to act empathetically when they are not allowed to be empathetic towards themselves?

Looking at burnout statistics, the ongoing presence of topics like resilience and mental health, and the much-discussed "Great Resignation" in the job market since the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes clear: A critical debate about our performance culture has long begun. If we truly want to change the social rules of the game, we must stop pretending that decision-makers are made of different stuff: We all have weaknesses, fears, and mistakes.