The Stoics emphasise the need for detachment. You should look at things as they are, and focus on the things that are only within your control.
The Jesuits embrace a similar ideal:
“We must make ourselves indifferent to all created things, as far as we are allowed… Consequently…we should not prefer health to sickness, riches to poverty, honor to dishonor, a long life to a short life. The same holds for all other things. Our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive to the end for which we were created” (#23 of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola).”
A good lobbyist should embrace detachment. It helps uncloud your judgement. You will see things for what they are really are.
This is not easy to do. The Stoics and the Jesuits did not think it easy.
Considering things in a detached way does not mean you are not moved by the issue. Instead, whatever your personal feelings or emotions are about the issue, you park them to one side and look at the issue again in clear detachment.
Detachment helps you put your self in the head of the politicians and officials making the decisions. When you can make that mental switch, you step into the mindset that takes the preparation of the case for your client to a whole new level.
Most clients want a cheerleader to represent them. The cheerleader will tell you what you want you to want to hear, but I prefer to see political reality. Anyway, I’d look a revolting cheerleader.
Many lobbyists act like cheerleaders. It’s not a pretty sight to see a lobbyist in full emotional overdrive. More than a few remind me of the late Keith Flint from the Prodigy.
Political reality can be harsh and brutal. Once you accept reality, and focus on the things within your control, and go forward in a detached way, the chances of getting what you want increase. You should not be moved by animal spirits.
A good lobbyist will not get emotionally bound up in events and decisions that go against them. Dwelling on things over which you have no control is fruitless.