Get Over Yourself and Get Back to Work

The political landscape can shift dramatically, sometimes in ways that make the work feel harder. You may not like who holds power in your community, your state, or your nation. But here’s the reality: you don’t get to decide that. Voters do. And they already have.

Instead of spending energy complaining about who’s in office, invest it in building genuine relationships with the people who are there—not wishing for the ones who aren’t.

Model good listening. Show empathy. Treat policymakers the way you want to be treated. Over time, you may even start to see them as human beings—with loved ones, values, and goals. I know this isn’t always easy. The stakes are high, and the issues are personal. But real change comes from engaging, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s not a warm-up to advocacy—it IS advocacy.

I learned this first-hand in the Ohio Senate. For years, I served alongside many colleagues from the opposite party, often working in the same rooms but rarely at the same tables. One of those colleagues was Charleta Tavares, a Democrat from a district very different from mine. We shared little politically—until we decided that the rate of babies dying before their first birthdays was unacceptable.

But that agreement alone wasn’t enough. Our success over time didn’t change the fact that we had different priorities, passions, and positions. What did change was our willingness to set a new table, invest in the relationship, and respect our deep differences while focusing on a shared goal.

We started small—designating Infant Mortality Awareness Month, promoting safe sleep—which built trust and momentum. Years later, we passed one of the most sweeping pieces of legislation in Ohio’s history to address infant mortality. That progress didn’t come from one meeting—or even a dozen. It came from years of showing up, listening, and working together.

The time spent rehashing old battles is time not spent moving issues forward.

Progress requires a clear head, an open mind, and the patience to uncover unlikely alliances.

For organizations serious about change, this isn’t optional. It’s the only way to turn ideas into results. Opportunities often emerge from the most unexpected places—places that stay hidden unless we commit to building authentic connections first.

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We work in a business where trust is the currency. You earn it by showing up, listening, and treating others with respect. It’s slower. It’s harder. But it’s the only way to get durable wins for the people and communities counting on us.

So, if you find yourself frustrated—pause, take a breath, and then get back to work.

—Shannon