Effective Lobbying: 5 Essential Traits

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Lobbying can change the course of history. Key policy changes happen all the time, thanks to the persuasion of those that have worked for years to propose ways to make companies operate more effectively, and help industries to reduce the red tapes necessary to perform at their optimum.

With no formal training prerequisites, for those that want to pursue a career in this path, it can be difficult to narrow down the specific requirements they need to have ticked off in the process towards becoming a lobbyist.

Political influencers come in a variety of forms. As there is no clear and direct path towards a role in that world, and there are so many sectors that it has an impact upon, it means that a diverse and hugely varied range of people end up in a position where they are pushing for particular policy to be approved.

These are five essential traits that every lobbyist needs to have:

1. Influencing from the Top to Bottom

Someone like David Urban has shown the importance of being able to hone in on those with the most decision-making leverage to effectively influence an organization – even the command-in-chief – to push forward legislation that works in their favour.

2. Clear Communication

Where there is a common bond between the varied world of political influencers is that fact that they are all able to effectively convey messages that resonate with those that have the power to make real change happen. The language you use has power. No one knows that more than those that are attempting to push through policy proposals against adversity. Clarity is one of the most essential ingredients.

3. Listen to Needs

While lobbying may be an effort to get your point heard and acted upon, it’s difficult to get people to change anything if you don’t understand why things are the way they are in the first place. There are likely to be a number of people – influential ones at that – who will find it difficult to come around to the idea of altering anything, so it’s essential that their objectives are heard and considered in the process. If their concerns are ignored, it will make the process more troublesome.

4. Tunnel Vision

Off the back of the previous point, the only way to ensure that you’re able to push through particular legislation is if you are constantly reminded of the destination you’re striving towards, and that you maintain this position through all of the adversity. The process for legislative change takes years, so you have to be able to play the long game and weather the storm along the way.

5. The Power of Persuasion

It goes without saying that a lobbyist should be persuasive, but you really need to leverage that power to be an effective lobbyist. You have be able to make all of the stakeholders feel as though they are going to benefit from your propositions, and, where applicable make compromises so that they are less resistant to revert any legislation back in the future.