Being too clever can shut the conversation down long before we ever finish talking
Category Archives: Politics
Success in Advocacy: “Just be Human”
These are the basics, the fundamentals, any advocate needs to find long term success. Basically, just be human.
Success in Advocacy: Right-sizing your wins
… no matter what happens on the battlegrounds of politics, successful advocates have to bring their causes forward in the reality of governance.
Success in Advocacy: Balancing the Three P’s
Getting advocacy right looks a lot more like flowing between each of these three pillars and finding where we are lacking in a given moment. It looks a lot more like surrounding ourselves with people who think differently than we do. And it looks a lot more like adjusting our strategies in real time as we continually receive feedback from the process…
Why You ALWAYS Need an “Ask”
The stories I could tell you. Over 8.5 years working for members of Congress, there were a LOT of constituent meetings. These were opportunities for concerned citizens to engage directly with their elected representative – or that representative’s staff – to share a slice of what was happening back in the district. Sometimes they wereContinue reading “Why You ALWAYS Need an “Ask””
“Do You Really Believe this Sh!t?”
The easiest people in the world to dismiss are those who don’t show up.
Don’t Go It Alone
Have you ever heard this African proverb? The concept is pretty straightforward. We can accomplish a lot of great things through persistence and quick action. But we can overcome entirely different barriers when we opt into partnering with others. It’s how we’ve developed as a social species. Yet when it comes to engaging with politicsContinue reading “Don’t Go It Alone”
No One Will Give A Damn If You’re Not Genuine
What do you say to a Member of Congress – or their staff – when you finally have a chance to meet with them? Yesterday I had an opportunity to speak with a local Rotary club. I love these civic organizations that bring diverse individuals together. They are miniature demonstrations of our ability to workContinue reading “No One Will Give A Damn If You’re Not Genuine”
With All Due Respect, That’s Chicken Sh*t
There are a lot of great stories about former Speaker of the House, John Boehner. And as a fellow Ohioan, I’m contractually obligated to share great stories about Ohioans. With recent events in the Buckeye state, I felt there was no better time than the present to share. A number of years ago, I wasContinue reading “With All Due Respect, That’s Chicken Sh*t”
Not Ashamed: Why I’m Proud to be a Lobbyist
It never fails. When I’m out and about with other lobbyists, I see it happen – just as soon as the very first stranger asks “so, what do you do?” In that moment, almost everybody dodges the question. Unlike so many other industries, we seem to feel compelled to hide our work. We use funContinue reading “Not Ashamed: Why I’m Proud to be a Lobbyist”
Part of the Possible 