Bill English says he's had a masterclass in leadership from John Key. Picture / Mark Mitchell
Bill English has a massive transition to make from successful Finance Minister to successful Prime Minister.
English is considered one of the most successful Finance Ministers in the OECD.
But it has not been necessary for the public to be impressed by him.
It only had to be impressed by his figures and the economy.
English is a political chameleon.
He can be the most boring of politicians and one of the most electrifying.
In his 10-year partnership with John Key, he happily allowed himself to accentuate the boring side.
Markets don't like excitement.
He has a big adjustment to make in a short time.
English knows how to win over an audience with solid, reasonable arguments. He has gained wide support for his social investment approach to social spending - which is not just a willingness to spend extra on programmes proven to work but a commitment to find out what works.
But he now has to find new skills to win over a mass audience of voters.
These voters have grown used to a damned-near daily dose of John Key in their living rooms.
They are unforgiving of thin lips, hesitation, big ears, shifty eyes, and irritating voices.
English needs to remain authentic but he needs to be more polished.
English doesn't need to be exciting but he does have to be more focused.
He has to retain a sense of stability and predictability and a sense of change at the same time.
He has to show he is capable of listening but show he is in command.
He knows what not to do from his prior horror-run as National leader.
But, as English himself said, he has had a masterclass in leadership every day for the past 10 years from Key.
But there is only so much you can learn from others. In the end he has to be himself.
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