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Tag Archives: Bridge Builders
Storytelling 102: Call on Your Hero
Data suggests that, after a presentation, 63% of attendees will remember a story you tell. Only 5% will remember your statistics. Let that sink in for a moment. Only 1 in 20 will remember the data you present in a meeting. (Trust me, I fully recognize the audacity of starting a post about avoiding statisticsContinue reading “Storytelling 102: Call on Your Hero”
Storytelling for Advocates 101
I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating: your volunteer advocates are the most valuable, and the most underutilized resource for your organization. There’s data to back this up. The Congressional Management Foundation has looked into the concept for years. Their conclusions are pretty startling. While an overwhelming majority of senior staff and legislatorsContinue reading “Storytelling for Advocates 101”
Opposing Isn’t Good Enough
I’m watching an absolutely painful interview clip right now. I’m not going to offer context out of respect for the victim, er, interviewee. But suffice it to say that a public persona is being re-defined in front of my eyes. In watching this particularly brutal exchange, I’m reminded of a lesson from former Speaker ofContinue reading “Opposing Isn’t Good Enough”
5 Keys to a Successful Summer Advocacy Event
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always struggled more in the creative process when I’m starting with a blank page. There’s something about a skeleton document that can at least kickstart your efforts – and that rings true for summer advocacy event planning. If you’re looking to move past that blank page, this postContinue reading “5 Keys to a Successful Summer Advocacy Event”
Beware the Poison Pill of “Unified” Government
Taxes are the talk of the town right now. In the wake of President Biden’s address to the nation, those in the world of politics have switched into high gear. Scrambling for details, countless groups are working the phones trying to get a better understanding of just what will be included in the administration’s loomingContinue reading “Beware the Poison Pill of “Unified” Government”
Climate Tribalism is Stifling Advancement
I’ve got a major concern about the debate surrounding climate change: paradigms. Over the past several months, my work has been consumed by the debate surrounding global climate change. Beyond causes, the frenetic activity in the administration and Congress have both lent a new urgency to the search for meaningful solutions in the realms ofContinue reading “Climate Tribalism is Stifling Advancement”
Jumpstart Your Advocates’ Infinite Mindsets
The Infinite Game. That’s a pretty heady title, right? Building on his success with Leaders Eat Last and Start With Why, Simon Sinek did not disappoint with the work he released in 2019. The Infinite Game was such a compelling piece that, in large measure, it served as the catalyst toward the eventual launch ofContinue reading “Jumpstart Your Advocates’ Infinite Mindsets”
Couldn’t this Address have been an e-mail?
It came up in casual conversation on the phone yesterday. “Are you really going to watch that?” A colleague and I were talking about the Presidential address scheduled for last night. Befuddled, I explained that, of course, I was going to watch. I personally believe it’s a responsibility of active citizenship to do so –Continue reading “Couldn’t this Address have been an e-mail?”
A Few Things to Know About the Budget Process
The beauty of the federal budget process is that no one really knows how the budget works. There’s a great scene in, the much bemoaned, season 5 of The West Wing where Josh Lyman relays just that sentiment. And I’d argue, that at the federal level, not much has changed since that episode aired. ContraryContinue reading “A Few Things to Know About the Budget Process”
Part of the Possible 