Imagine yourself in the waiting room ahead of a meeting with the key legislator you need to advance your agenda. You’ve spent days, maybe weeks, gathering the data, building your narrative, rehearsing your talking points. Your feet are a little sore because you’ve been walking the halls all day from meeting to meeting, getting into your rhythm ahead of this, the big one.
At that point, there’s almost nothing more you can do. Just like cramming for tests in school, at some point you already know all that you’re going to know. You’re better off shutting down, thinking about something else and clearing your mind of the stressors leading into your day of advocacy.
But no matter how much you know, how firm your personal relationship with that decision maker, or how timely your request, there are six words that are going to sink your agenda.
“I haven’t heard from any constituents.”
There it is. You’re sunk. And if you think your organization’s system is immune to this poison pill, you are gravely mistaken. I’ve seen multiple legislators drop this nugget on fortune 500 companies just the same as small, community based non-profits. There has even been a time or two that I’ve had to deliver those words of reproach.
Advocates and lobbyists invest incredible amounts of time into relationship building. If you’re new to this blog, I’ve tried to raise this concept over multiple posts, and I’d encourage you to read through a few of them (maybe start here). But the concept is simple: it takes time and concerted effort to build a level of trust with any decision maker.
All of that work will fall apart when it runs into the reality that all politics is local. A member of congress, a state legislator, a governor – all are inclined to determine whether a given measure will mean anything to the voters back home. Failing to account for this reality within your advocacy plan is the sure fire way to cripple your agenda.
But what does that look like?
Over the next two months, my Thursday posts are going to revolve around developing political action plans. I hope to layer concepts together such as activating your grassroots team, leveraging existing events, PAC activity and others to show how you can build a strategic agenda that exists outside of the topsy-turvy world of daily political gamesmanship.
The goal is pretty simple – most organizations need to transition from a reactionary mindset to a proactive one. By properly weaving together your various political activities, you can prevent yourself from walking into a meeting already doomed by those six deadliest words. More importantly, you’ll be able to advance your agenda in the midst of political turmoil.
On a more personal note, I’m also going to work toward delivering content to you in some new ways. I’m much more comfortable with the written word, but, I want to continually develop this blog into greater relevancy to you. So – help me out if you can. Drop me a line, in the comments below or via email to luke@partofthepossible.com, and let me know what topics you’re most interested in having me explore, as well as what mediums (audio files, short videos, etc.) you’d benefit from most. I’m excited to stretch myself in new ways, but I want the content to add value to your life and work.
I continue to be floored, and absolutely grateful, by the number of folks who check in with me here on the blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and your precious time with me. I’m excited to keep growing with you as we try, together, to be part of the possible.
Part of the Possible 