Can Very Clever People Campaign?
In many campaigns I have worked on, I have found very clever people try and campaign. Sometimes, they run the campaigns or have a veto on what can be done or not done. These very clever people often want a campaign that asks for many things. Often, they ask for many things that only that very clever people can understand.
Too Many Voices
Having too many different messages sounds like a bad musical. You end up not understanding a thing, and even with the best will in the world, land up leaving early, no the less clearer about what the show was about, and often annoyed that you wasted your time and money going.
Keep It Simple
Deep Simplicity is another root to go down. It is my preference. It makes it easier to track what you are doing and whether you succeed. I know many clever people will find ideas like delivering on what you said you’d do as simplistic. Maybe sticking to one thing, doing it well before moving on to the next thing is simplistic, but it usually ensures you get a great deal one. J.D.Rockfeller tried it. It worked for him.
Save The Fish
A good example of clear communication is the European Parliament’s Green Group video on CFP reform. It is not flashy. It is very simple. Decent men and women – in this case Green MEPs – put the case for a new CFP – saving the fish.
They don’t talk about complex issues. They keep it clear, simple and emotional. They stick on message and don’t really divert from the core idea behind reform, ‘save the fish’..
Whose Allowed in the War Room
A strange thing is that these very clever people are not necessarily very good campaigners. They are great advisers. They are not great at communicating with politicians or the media. The expert loves complexity and jargon, and these are things that the expert love and politicians and media hate. If you want to win, leave the very clever people kept out of the war room.