“Do You Really Believe this Sh!t?”

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had a hell of a run on social media. One video I posted has had more than 600k views across my various platforms. And while far from “viral,” it’s still been stunning.

Imagine having the opportunity to share your thoughts with a crowd that could fill The Shoe, the famed football stadium at my alma mater – The Ohio State University – 6 times over. It’s a fairly short list of individuals who get invited to speak at a venue like that – but social media puts it at our fingertips every day. And that’s miraculous.

But what’s been most humbling throughout the experience has been navigating the mixed bag of reactions to that video. The spectrum is wide.

That’s not surprising. In the video I mention I’m a lobbyist, and I talk about a strategy to improve problem solving in group settings. Well, right off the bat – any time I tell people I’m a lobbyist, I can expect a certain type of reaction.

We hate lobbyists in this country. At least we think we do. We love the folks who are advocating on behalf of our own causes and bemoan the same activity coming from our opposition. That’s nothing new.

But what struck me was just how quickly some people moved past that identity issue and started questioning if I really do believe the things I talk and write about.

I’m the first to admit that a sense of optimism in politics undoubtedly will be viewed as naive. That’s fine. If you want to write me, or my kind, off like that go ahead. But here’s where I’d challenge you:

The easiest people in the world to dismiss are those who don’t show up.

I’m deeply optimistic about the opportunities that we have in our public discourse. Sure, I get as frustrated as the next guy when I see partisanship get in the way of good policy and statesmanship. I hate when ego and power grabs drive the agenda. But we have to acknowledge that they do and still find a way to show up.

So how do I keep showing up? And more importantly, how can you?

We have to start by thoughtfully inspecting our own paradigms. If we tell ourselves that all politicians are corrupt; if we accept the lie at face value that the individuals in government are collectively in it for the wrong reasons; if we choose to believe that no one wants to find solutions – well, then, that’s going to drive our actions.

Unfortunately, that belief system will specifically drive us to inaction.

I try to avoid talking about politics – or politicians – in collective or normative terms. I try really hard not to think of individuals as groups. I also try to not spend too much time dwelling on what I think the world should look like.

These simple acknowledgments of what is, prevent me from bemoaning what isn’t.

Ultimately, that may just be the real super power that keeps people in the fight for causes they deeply care about. It may be the X factor that keeps lobbyists like me willing to show up for clients; and for those clients to keep showing up for their causes.

When people question whether I really “believe the shit” I say on social media, it’s easy for me to say yes. I really do.

I’ve been on both sides of the table in politics – working for elected officials and advocating issues before them. I’ve seen what works. I’ve known many of the good – and bad – actors who are involved in the process, and I treat them as the individuals they are. Boils and all.

I’ll never convince you that they’re all good – and I don’t want to. I want to expose the selfish, and promote the statesmen. What I hope to convince you of is this: showing up matters more than you think.

Your story, your experience, your thoughts and expertise matter. A lot. By accepting a negative paradigm, you’re only hurting yourself, your causes, and our dialogue. Professional advocates like me can help you move past that. We can help you frame a different paradigm.

Use us – if only for our ability to stay in the long game. If you don’t, you may just be the easiest person in the world to ignore.

Addendum:

It occurs to me that when I say things like “acknowledge what is,” readers may interpret that as “accept what is.” Far from it.

We can expend a great deal of energy wishing for a different world. That’s wasted energy. We aren’t called to wish for it, we’re called to work for it.

Acknowledging the state of play in current politics is a mental management technique to keep us sane. That affords is the time for finding the motivation to work toward change. It’s what helps us fight like hell for something better.