Tag Archives: coalition building

Step One: Build Trust

Easily one of the hardest things to do in advocacy, is choosing to trust someone you do not like. Yet that is the task at hand – as much so in 2024 as in any other time. Recently, my work took me back to Washington, DC for a marathon week of meetings. Meetings to absorbContinue reading “Step One: Build Trust”

Tips for Advocates: Remember this truth as the Presidential Campaign Warms Up

This week, in the category of “worst kept secrets, two prominent Republicans will have announced their candidacies for the 2024 Presidential primary. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida will officially enter the fray after months of will they-won’t they speculation. And like the many others considering the same move,Continue reading “Tips for Advocates: Remember this truth as the Presidential Campaign Warms Up”

Can you plan too much as an advocate?

I had to do it again this week. I had to share with folks just why I can’t stand talking points. It’s personal. At this point it’s almost as if I’m on a vendetta against bullet pointed communication in general. And before you tell me, yes, I know and recognize that this is a strangeContinue reading “Can you plan too much as an advocate?”

“What do I do when…?”

One of my absolute favorite things to do professionally is training aspiring advocates. For me, there is no replacement for stretching the relationship building muscles and helping folks understand just how natural it can be to stand up for their cause. The trainings I do almost always center on the importance of practical application becauseContinue reading ““What do I do when…?””

What to Say When You Don’t Know the Answer

This week I got to do what I love most in my work – train aspiring advocates. And this time, that training session was focused on an exceptionally bright, and engaged group of college students. What they lacked in direct experience with political issues, they were eager to make up for in vim and vigor.Continue reading “What to Say When You Don’t Know the Answer”

Stories from Congress: the one where a guy handed me a spine

Yes. He handed me a spine. I’ll say that again. Yes. A spinal cord. A protester once handed me a spinal cord. There I was, offering a friendly smile, and the guy hands me a model spinal cord – thinking he was about to embarrass me into agreeing with him on an issue. You haveContinue reading “Stories from Congress: the one where a guy handed me a spine”

A Beginner’s Guide to Building Credibility: Stop Using This One Word if You Want to Win Champions to your Cause

Effective advocates hunt for opportunities to build their credibility.

Keeping Your Head on Election Day

But Election Day isn’t a finish line – it’s a starting block. It’s the anticipation of the starting gun for a foot race. It’s getting into position to act. Successful advocates distinguish themselves by realizing that, and visualizing how they’ll react when the starting gun fires.

Become a Better Advocate: Have Hard Conversations

“How do we get our leaders to stop fighting and start working?” I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve been asked that question. Even working for centrist members of Congress, that sentiment came up nearly every week I was on the job. For almost a decade. I can tell you since IContinue reading “Become a Better Advocate: Have Hard Conversations”