Don’t command, collaborate!

In the aftermath of November’s devastating election results, many Monday morning quarterbacks are lamenting how the Democratic party missed connecting with the American people on everyday issues creating economic hardship and uncertainty.

While the calculus likely involved a complex mix of misogyny, racism, dissatisfaction with incumbency and the Democratic party’s hopeful, yet ineffective case to working class voters, one thing is clear to me. Like always, we talked a lot and listened too little.

We didn’t have our official “listening” milestone — a primary to test whether our candidate met the moment of now. And we didn’t have much time — only 107 days — once she cinched the nomination to listen and then address the needs of voters outside of our base.

As marketers and fundraisers for organizations seeking to make the world a better and more just place, listening and responding to what we hear is no longer a “nice-to-have.”  We cannot rely on messaging points and campaigns created by industry insiders in closed Zoom/conference rooms that do not take into consideration the perspectives of supporters and would-be supporters. We cannot continue putting out calls to action that do not connect, engage and inspire strategic audiences. We cannot afford to lean on yesterday’s effective messaging, while neglecting the ever-evolving needs and wants of supporters.

This is a wake up call!

As Mark recently wrote in this brilliant post — the map is not the territory — we  must bring curiosity to our work, constantly asking ourselves “What do I believe and how can I be wrong?” I’d go one step further and add “Who else can I listen to who can broaden my view?”

At Sea Change, deep listening is at the core of everything we do. We conduct online focus groups with donor audiences. And we offer a service called the Sea Change Insight Panel® which engages donors every month with short surveys that invite them to think, to connect, to collaborate, and even to play. 

Here are some quotes from Insight Panel participants showing how meaningful listening can be:

• “Thanks for truly asking us these questions, reading all of the responses and sharing how you are taking action on what we say. It is fun to feel part of the team — like a collaborator!”
• “It is an honor to take part in the monthly Insight Panel – a privilege I do not take lightly. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to participate, and I look forward to each month’s new survey. It also makes my heart happy to see the other panelists’ photos. Thank you for including some of them each time!” 
• “I appreciate hearing how others on the Panel have responded to specific questions. I’m so inspired by your work and the dedication of other supporters, I’m sending another donation! 
• “It’s cool you’re asking folks these questions and sharing the results! That shows transparency and a commitment to keep growing and evolving and be responsible to the community of supporters.” 
• “I appreciate the chance to connect and hear from other people like me. Helps me not feel so alone.” – Midlevel donor

Of course, you don’t have to hire us to listen. But you do have to make it a priority.

As we come together to face the challenges of 2025, let’s not make the same mistakes of 2024. Let’s stop commanding our supporters and let’s start collaborating with them.

In the spirit of listening, please email me with your thoughts and we can start a dialogue. I’m at alia.mckeeNOSPAM@seachangestrategies.com. Just remove NOSPAM.  Thanks!