Government and politics are an interesting industry. Everyone has an opinion on them and are convinced they are right and knowledgeable on the issue - even when they absolutely are not. Nowhere is that more clear than when you attempt to discuss your organization's position on an issue without the proper context.
You will no sooner state your position than your phone will be ringing off the hook with upset members of the organization telling you how wrong you are.
That is why when you're communicating on an issue that involves government and politics you have to walk a very thin line to do it successfully. Here are some of the ways to better position your success.
START SIMPLY AND EARLY - When you know an issue is going to be popping up, start as early as possible. If you don't know an issue is going to pop up, try some very simple messages on an issue. The earlier it is discussed, the more understanding you can lead to.
INVITE FEEDBACK - Give people an opportunity to express their opinion. Do a survey, hold a meeting, send an email... whatever it takes to give them the opportunity to express their opinions, the more comfortable they will be that their opinion was heard.
FRAME THE VANTAGE POINT - More than just framing the issue - which is absolutely necessary - you should also frame the vantage point from which you are assessing an issue. How will this impact the business? The industry? The organization? The employees? The suppliers? What are the perspectives from which people should be considering the issue - and ESPECIALLY how can they take it off of their personal opinions?
RESEARCH - The real reason that under-informed people argue over political and policy issues is because they base their position off of opinion, something they heard, or from a personal response. However when presented with a lot of information that dispassionately leads to a different position, they are more apt to open up to a differing point of view. Provide that research - legal, statistical, empirical, etc. and shape it into a discussion the can relate to - in other words, tell a story with the research.
REPORT FEEDBACK - Let people know that you have heard them. Show both sides of an issue, and guide the discussion. Show ways in which the information is leading the organization. They may disagree, but they will at least see that they were heard.
These steps - if nothing else - give you an opportunity to point back and say "We've been discussing this issue for a while, and you have had your opportunity to weigh in on the issue. However from the position of the organization, this is the best course to take." Even when the issue is unpopular, at least you have the opportunity to present the other side in a detailed fashion.
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Government and politics are an interesting industry. Everyone has an opinion on them and are convinced they are right and knowledgeable on the issue - even when they absolutely are not. Nowhere is that more clear than when you attempt to discuss your organization's position on an issue without the proper context.
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