Hustle Culture in Politics and 5 Habits to Address It

Hustle culture, the linchpin of the American economy, also permeates the political landscape. It’s even worse during election years. And presidential cycles are the worst of all. 

Candidates and staffers talk about needing more rest but they can’t do it yet. Not until the field plan is done. Or the endorsement is won. Or the ad goes out. Or the fundraising deadline has passed. Next thing you know it’s Election Day — and your tank is beyond empty. 

But you can take breaks during election season and still win. In fact, taking care of yourself and your staff is critical to running a campaign or organization at peak strategy levels. 

If you want to work in a movement, you hold some responsibility for making that movement sustainable.

In this blog, we’ll go over what hustle culture is, why it can cause a toxic work environment, and 5 habits to prevent it in your campaign or organization.

What is hustle culture?

Hustle culture emphasizes relentless work ethic, productivity, and the pursuit of goals at all costs. In politics, this manifests as candidates and their teams working and strategizing around the clock. The 2 am campaign office meetings. Working from bed with a 103-degree fever. Missing their kids’ first day of school. Answering the phone at a funeral. (Not an exaggeration.) 

Hustle culture in politics also extends to the electorate, especially in an election year. Voters are bombarded with a ceaseless stream of political advertisements, rallies, debates, and social media engagements. This environment creates a sense of urgency and fervor, urging citizens to become actively involved, stay informed, and participate in the democratic process.

The constant hustle is driven by the high stakes of elections, where the clock is always running down, and we are told as a movement that the very fate of democracy rests on our shoulders. We are told the difference between winning and losing can hinge on sheer effort and endurance. Campaign staff, volunteers, and even the candidates themselves often find little time for rest, driven by the belief that success is directly proportional to the amount of work put in. 

While that CAN be true, it very often isn’t. Strategic use of time and resources is much more important than volume. Quality over quantity, as they say. 

Why is hustle culture toxic?

We are taught in the United States that hustle culture promotes a productive work ethic and innovation. Usually though, what it ends up promoting is a toxic work environment, fostering an unsustainable pace that prioritizes productivity over well-being and checking boxes over solid strategy.

It’s incredibly common for particularly toxic campaigns or organizations to prey on employees’ values, encouraging people to work more for less pay because they should be moved by dedication or loyalty. This environment can also encourage the notion that those who do not or cannot keep up are less dedicated or valuable, creating a divide among team members and fostering resentment. This also contributes directly to a less diverse workforce because those with economic struggles, caretaking responsibilities, disabilities, high holy days, or other life circumstances that prevent anything but 24/7 dedication to “the cause.”

In politics, this leads to high stress, burnout, wage theft, and a cyclical “brain drain” of the industry as masses flee campaign and political work for more sustainable “real” white-collar jobs with regular hours, higher pay, and benefits. The relentless demand for results fosters a competitive atmosphere where workers often feel compelled to sacrifice their personal lives and health to keep up. Illnesses like addiction, and life problems like divorce are relatively common in our ranks.

5 habits to combat toxic hustle culture in an election year

1. Prioritize Work-Life Balance. It might sound cliché, but maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial. Encourage your team to take regular breaks, set boundaries, and respect their time off. A well-rested team is more creative, productive, and less prone to burnout. Make it clear that taking time for personal well-being isn't just acceptable — it's necessary for long-term success.

Besides, working when burned out, ill, or distracted by big life tragedies usually leads to sloppy output. Typos. Bad math. Accidently leaking to the wrong reporter. Things that will take longer to clean up than the time “saved” by the “efficiency” of the false urgency of the task. 

2. Set Realistic Goals and Encourage Strategic Use of Time. Ambition is great, but unrealistic goals can lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment. Break down larger objectives into manageable tasks with clear deadlines and balance the tasks, goals, and deadlines against the priorities of the campaign. 

Things like non-fundraising events outside the district, street fairs where you can’t target voters, and endorsement questionnaires for the 35th climate organization that’s reached out to the campaign are huge wastes of time you can never get back. 

3. Encourage Collaboration Over Competition. While a little healthy competition can be motivating, too much can be detrimental. Foster a culture of collaboration where team success is prioritized over individual achievements. Encourage teamwork and recognize collective accomplishments to build a stronger, more united team.

Teams that collaborate well are more likely to pick up each other’s slack and cover for each other when life gets in the way. That way your team can still have lives without the organization losing overall productivity.

4. Lead by Example. Leadership sets the tone for the entire team. If leaders demonstrate healthy work habits — like taking breaks, setting boundaries, and valuing personal time — others are more likely to follow suit. Show your team that it's possible to work hard without sacrificing their health and well-being.

Don’t be the asshole boss who calls at 3am for something that could have waited until 9am. If the campaign office is burning down — call the fire department. Your team can’t fix it.

5. Implement Flexible Work Arrangements. Flexibility can be a game-changer in reducing the pressures of hustle culture. Allowing for remote work options, flexible hours, or even compressed workweeks can help team members manage their time more effectively. This flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity, as people can work when they are most efficient and manage personal responsibilities without the added stress of rigid schedules.

By implementing these habits, you can create a more sustainable and positive work environment in the fast-paced world of politics. At Evinco, we've seen firsthand how these strategies can transform a campaign's culture, leading to more effective and satisfied teams.

Don’t get us wrong, when it’s on, IT’S ON! But we are at our best and ready to handle it because we didn’t burn ourselves out leading into the moments that need legitimate hustle. 

Interested in more on how to optimize your political campaign or organization? Book a FREE 15-minute consultation call with us today!