Tag Archives: influence

Advocacy Meetings 102: Your Story Is Your Superpower

Don’t tell any of my lobbyist friends I said this, but more often than not a volunteer advocate holds greater sway with elected officials than a paid lobbyist. Constituencies are inherently important to politicians. Losing touch with those they represent is usually the short road to losing the next election. This pressure to connect canContinue reading “Advocacy Meetings 102: Your Story Is Your Superpower”

The Real Reason We Can’t Pay Attention to Politics

If you find yourself rationing your exposure, take a moment to thank your brain for helping you filter some of the madness out. It’s ok to break away, to reset. In fact, it’s pretty necessary.

If You Want To Be An Optimist, Begin By Giving Thanks

I was catching up with a friend recently and he said I seemed more optimistic, more confident in the future. The comment stuck with me over the past few weeks. And as I’ve sat with it, evaluating what could be different, I’m left with one simple answer: I’m more grateful these days. Over the lastContinue reading “If You Want To Be An Optimist, Begin By Giving Thanks”

Advocacy Meetings 101: Managing the Clock

Life a Browns fan instills an incredible amount of patience. This past weekend was rough. In all aspects of the game, it seemed like they just hadn’t shown up for the game. Despite a spark on the opening drive, I found myself spending the remaining 3 hours wishing the clock would just move faster toContinue reading “Advocacy Meetings 101: Managing the Clock”

Beware the Victory Lap

It’s fine to celebrate a win, but in the coming days, you’ll own the problems you ran to correct.

Your Words Have Meaning

We’re getting it wrong from the very beginning. We’ve eroded the definition of advocacy. Until we recognize that fact, we can’t begin to improve. What do I mean? I was listening to a presentation on advocacy for a non-profit organization last week. In the hopes of illuminating the field to aspiring volunteers, the well-intentioned trainerContinue reading “Your Words Have Meaning”

What are Your Three Truths?

I love podcasts. I love audio content in general. It’s a format that allows me to focus my brain while working on other tasks with my hands. While most choose a music playlist for their runs, I’ve usually got an audiobook or a pod running through my headphones. And because I’ve got this constant streamContinue reading “What are Your Three Truths?”

Amplifying Appreciation in Advocacy

Abe Jacob is a Government Relations professional in Columbus, Ohio. Connect with him on LinkedIn It’s hard to imagine that a simple lesson so many of us were taught as children has often wound up on the back-burner in our everyday lives. Of course, conveying words of appreciation after someone holds the door for youContinue reading “Amplifying Appreciation in Advocacy”

Colin Powell, The Reluctant Warrior

In the last decade, former Secretary of State Colin Powell may have found himself feeling like a man out of sync with the times. With the news of his passing yesterday, I found myself reflecting on the profound impact he had on so many over such a long career. Regardless of one’s politics, there’s probablyContinue reading “Colin Powell, The Reluctant Warrior”