Tag Archives: Leadership

Storytelling 103: Bring a Solution

Our stories empower our ability to develop lasting relationships with elected officials. Don’t waste the opportunity.

Military Efficiency on Display

In the past week, the American Legion took one on the nose – and then punched right back. During a recent Memorial Day observance, a local post in Hudson, OH stumbled. The post had invited a retired Army Officer, and local resident, to serve in the keynote slot for the program. When Lieutenant Colonel KemterContinue reading “Military Efficiency on Display”

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”

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”

Now is the Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan

Well, here we go! Big news in Ohio last night as Governor DeWine announced a formal return to normalcy on June 2. More than a year into our fight against COVID-19, folks across the Buckeye state will get back to it. But what does that mean for advocacy organizations? Within my own planning for thisContinue reading “Now is the Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan”

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”