“I want to know how you can be so optimistic.” I don’t know why, but this has become a common thread in my conversations lately. As I’ve been briefing advocates on the current political landscape, and helping friends make sense of the recent election, a thought like this almost always creeps into the conversation. UntilContinue reading “Need a boost for your sense of optimism? Start here”
Tag Archives: Self Awareness
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”
Success in Advocacy: The Power Behind Your Personal Brand
Focus on serving your issue in a genuine way, with warmth and purpose and you will find your audience.
Success in Advocacy: Clear is Greater than Clever
Being too clever can shut the conversation down long before we ever finish talking
Moments of Leadership from the Marines – Respect and Expect; Two Sides of the Same Coin
His lack of pride in the moment helped me feel a little more pride in myself.
Success in Advocacy: “Just be Human”
These are the basics, the fundamentals, any advocate needs to find long term success. Basically, just be human.
Why You ALWAYS Need an “Ask”
The stories I could tell you. Over 8.5 years working for members of Congress, there were a LOT of constituent meetings. These were opportunities for concerned citizens to engage directly with their elected representative – or that representative’s staff – to share a slice of what was happening back in the district. Sometimes they wereContinue reading “Why You ALWAYS Need an “Ask””
“Do You Really Believe this Sh!t?”
The easiest people in the world to dismiss are those who don’t show up.
Don’t Go It Alone
Have you ever heard this African proverb? The concept is pretty straightforward. We can accomplish a lot of great things through persistence and quick action. But we can overcome entirely different barriers when we opt into partnering with others. It’s how we’ve developed as a social species. Yet when it comes to engaging with politicsContinue reading “Don’t Go It Alone”
Part of the Possible 