Tag Archives: communication

Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted

“I just don’t know what to say. Can you write it out for me?” No. That should be the unequivocal, unwavering answer from any grassroots manager. No, we should never – under any circumstances – write out a script for our volunteers. Why? Advocacy isn’t a performance art. In its purest form, advocacy is simplyContinue reading “Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted”

Three Steps for Hosting Better Meetings

In the past several weeks, I’ve seen a theme developing on LinkedIn discussion channels. Folks are pointing out the problem with colleagues, especially leaders, taking pride in how busy they are. Here’s a particular piece making the rounds. Maybe you’re caught in this cycle too, rushing from meeting to meeting, compressing every moment of yourContinue reading “Three Steps for Hosting Better Meetings”

So You Don’t Know the Issues

We’ve been talking about the basic hurdles preventing people from participating in advocacy. Today, Abe Jacob is back to share some thoughts and recommendations from his experiences. Feeling like you don’t understand the issues well enough? Check out this post! Traditional news outlets aren’t the only avenues for us to hear the latest on howContinue reading “So You Don’t Know the Issues”

Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument

Americans are competitors. It’s in our national DNA. That’s why I’m convinced President Biden’s administration is faltering when they argue ‘leading by example’ in the discussion of climate solutions. For better or worse, our national conscience is often driven by a finite, winner-take-all mindset driven by the way we talk about the issues and challengesContinue reading “Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument”

No Need for 10,000 Hours

Your participation in advocacy is valuable precisely because you are an expert at something else.

Be Careful Who You Dismiss

If I’m being honest, I had no idea what to write about today. Maybe like you, my brain is still settled into an idling mode from the holiday weekend. So here I am, late on Monday night scrolling the internet for inspiration. Lo and behold, 5 minutes into my search I land on a storyContinue reading “Be Careful Who You Dismiss”

You Matter More than You Think

There is a massive hurdle standing between you and successful advocacy: self doubt. Whether we wish to admit it or not, most of us are carrying a bit of a complex around with us. Somewhere, tucked back in our brains is an invasive thought: what I have to say won’t really matter. I’ve thought aboutContinue reading “You Matter More than You Think”

Overcoming Barriers to Advocacy

“I just don’t know enough about it.” “What I have to say won’t really matter.” “I just don’t have the time right now.” “I’ve never done it. I don’t know what to say.” Sound familiar? These are some of the most common responses when folks are asked to participate in advocacy campaigns. Successful advocacy organizationsContinue reading “Overcoming Barriers to Advocacy”

Storytelling 104: Join the Quest

If you go back to the very first post introducing this storytelling series (Opposing Isn’t Good Enough), you’ll recall the inspiration behind it – the book Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller. In that piece, Miller lays out a basic seven step process for storytelling geared toward maximizing the impact of our stories onContinue reading “Storytelling 104: Join the Quest”