Attend some meetings of the board or position you're running for. Amazingly, a number of people run for office without any idea of the issues the position will deal with. Public life is hard enough without looking foolish because you didn't bone up on the issues. A realistic view of the issues. Good leaders don't view the world as black or white.
Most issues are complex and have many shades of gray.
The key is knowing what issues require a tough stand and what issues require the ability to compromise. A vision of where the government should go. But good leaders know the key to long-term success is having the ability to sense problems and issues before they become a crisis. Good leaders also know that it's important to plan ahead and to look beyond the next elections. The ability to communicate.