TED'S TAKE: ADVOCACY vs MAKING A DIFFERENCE

 Many folks advocate for something. They see a need and then proceed to advocate for that cause or purpose. But what is advocacy and does it make a difference particularly if not coupled with follow through on the part of the advocates;  could it serve as an excuse for not doing the tough work needed to truly make a difference.

 Many who call themselves advocates are attempting to get attention to a particular subject, cause, or purpose. But too often what these individuals are doing is attempting to get someone else to the throw their support or typically their money towards the cause, but stop to ask what their own level of support is… are they putting their own money in the pot also? Assuming we each throw our smaller amounts of money into their bigger pot, does doing this make any difference?

Any money – large or small – that is allocated to a person, cause or purpose must then be directed towards the “right” activities and actions, to and for the “right” people. Indiscriminately throwing money at the something does not really do much – although it might make someone feel better or like they have done something - whether or not they have.

True advocacy that affects change takes time, effort, and purposeful leadership of invested resources. If you want to make a difference, you need to do all of these or nothing impactful will happen. This likely means investing not only your “own” money towards your goal or  purpose, but also your time. Successful advocacy takes more than just yelling the loudest and asking others to invest their money. If you want change, jump in the game fully.

Many people I meet consider themselves advocates for some cause or purpose, but that typically just means they are speaking more or saying it more loudly. But as the saying goes “talk is cheap” and “actions speak louder than words.” These people may be passionate about the cause and may have some time to spend but often are not being very strategic in their advocacy. Many even lack detailed knowledge about the subject area they are advocating for or may not want to spend the time to learn. Alternatively, they may only want to offer money but not want to invest the time and energy to do the hard work of influencing change.

When it comes to science, advocates must also realize that the evolution and best discoveries in science take not only money and the “right” researchers but they also take time to study and to understand. This is very frustrating for many, but it is simply the way scienitific research evolves. In the scientific arena, many advocates simply do not understand this and can get frustrated. Patience is needed;  simply yelling more loudly or tossing more money in the pot may not accomplish anything faster and rather it can irritate others who are working to achieve meaningful change.

Making a different requires knowledge, getting experience, disappointment, and then doubling down and going at it again. Many who call themselves advocates don’t do that. I encourage you that if you  truly want to make a difference; learn, invest your time as well as your money and be patient do not merely yell loudly for your cause.