<< WHAT IS A STRATEGY ? >>
A Strategy is a plan of action that looks beyond the next move.
Rather than expecting immediate results, Strategy depends on a series
of
actions to reach a goal. Because a Strategy is a general plan of action,
various methods can be used to accomplish a given strategy.
<< STRATEGY USED IN EVERYDAY LIFE: >>
People use Strategy in everyday life, often without realizing it. For
example, you have made a list to go shopping, and one of the stores
you plan
to visit closes earlier than the other stores. One Strategy is to hurry
all
your shopping in hopes of reaching the last store before it closes.
This
Strategy is often chosen without a conscious decision. Another Strategy
would
be to visit the store most likely to close first before going to the
other
stores to avoid the need to rush.
People often make decisions without being aware that they are choosing
between different Strategies. To become an effective group, you will
need to
become aware of the fact that you are using a Strategy and make conscious
decisions as to the advantages and disadvantages of alternate Strategies.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT TO COME UP WITH GOOD STRATEGY ?
No, people from all walks of life use Strategy every day.
People trying to stay within their food budget often use Strategies
in
shopping. For example, one method is to buy commonly used items when
they are
on sale and plan meals around them.
Parents often use Strategies in dealing with the behavior of their
children. For example, they might try to reason with their children
to show
them the effects of their actions or they might choose a system of
reward and
punishment (or a combination of both methods might be used).
People who play (or watch) sports or play video games (or games like
chess) are aware of the value of Strategy to increase the chances of
winning.
For example, if your opponent plays an aggressive game and is willing
to take
many risks then you may decide to play a defensive game and watch for
your
opponents mistakes.
Farmers, hunters, auto mechanics, businessmen, lawyers, union people,
and
many others all use Strategies in their work and in their lives.
1ST STEP: RECOGNIZE THE UNSTATED STRATEGY:
Many actions involve an unstated and often unconscious strategy. Start
by learning to see the unstated Strategy in an action. Look carefully
both at
your own proposals for action and the actions of your Adversary. Ask
yourself: Why is this action being taken? What is the short term goal?
What
is the long term goal? In this way you can recognize the unstated Strategy
behind an action. Often merely recognizing the Strategy implied by
your
action will cause you to reconsider your proposed action.
EXAMPLE: UNSTATED STRATEGY:
After hearing your Adversary's position on the issue, your group may
want to respond by venting their outrage and frustration with the situation
by
attacking your Adversary in the press in strong emotional language.
The
unstated Strategy here is a variation of the biological Fight or Flight
Reaction (when you feel threatened and there is no escape then fight).
Inherent in this Strategy is the belief that the more you express your
anger
and frustration by lashing out at your Adversary in public, the more
people
will turn against your Adversary and join your side. This has been
the basic
Strategy of many groups just starting out. Although venting your anger
initially feels good (because it is a `natural' reaction), it has not
been an
effective Strategy for groups because it alienates people.
IS THIS STRATEGY REALLY IN YOUR BEST INTEREST ?
Stating an unstated Strategy allows you to see what you are doing more
clearly. You can then decide if this is really what you want to do.
For example, the Strategy of venting outrage does get attention in
the
press (controversy is a good angle for a news story) but it comes at
a high
price. People who are not directly involved in your issue often pay
more
attention to your extreme method of delivering information than to
the
information itself. Many feel they are being forced to choose sides
and
resist such a decision without more time and information. The end result
is
that the Strategy of venting anger alienates many of your potential
supporters
and polarizes some people into supporting your Adversary's position
who
otherwise might not have become involved. Clearly a Strategy that risks
losing potential supporters and pushes people to your Adversary's position
has to be seriously questioned: Is it really in your best interest
to do this?
BASIC STRATEGY FOR GROUPS STARTING OUT:
The common Strategy of venting anger is not recommended because it
is
rarely effective. Wouldn't it be wiser to have a Strategy of building
a broad
base of support by appealing to the widest possible audience in your
community? With a broad base of support you become a credible group
and you
can put your Adversary in a position where they must deal with your
concerns.
The Strategy of building a broad base of support and appealing to the
widest
possible audience (see outline: Choosing A Position) has been shown
to be very
effective and is a good overall Strategy for groups starting out.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT OVERALL STRATEGY: INCREMENTAL GAINS:
Many groups in search of immediate results ignore the Strategy of
incremental gains. This Strategy is based on the advantages of working
for
small incremental gains in the process of moving towards your goals
of having
your concerns addressed. It is in sharp contrast to the `all or nothing'
approach commonly employed by many groups of going for big gains by
dramatic
and risky moves with no concern for what happens if they don't succeed.
In the incremental gains Strategy you build on numerous small gains
to
a position where larger gains are possible. Besides being more effective,
by
accomplishing small gains you have something to show for your work
each step
of the way and you aren't risking a complete loss as you would with
the `all
or nothing' approach.
The Strategies of building a broad base of support and building on
incremental gains will allow you to move towards becoming an effective
group
and avoid the serious mistakes that most commonly characterize ineffective
groups.
READY FOR ROLE PLAYING STRATEGY SESSION:
With a sense of the importance of Strategy and the ability to Role
Play the groups you're identified as being involved in your issue,
you're now
ready for the Role Playing Strategy Session where your Core Group will
test
your proposals for action.
< SUMMARY 8 > STRATEGY: A PLAN OF ACTION:
<< WHAT IS A STRATEGY ? >>
A Strategy is a plan of action that looks beyond the next move.
Rather than expecting immediate results, Strategy depends on a series
of
actions to reach a goal. Because a Strategy is a general plan of action,
various methods can be used to accomplish a given strategy.
<< STRATEGY USED IN EVERYDAY LIFE: >>
People use Strategy in everyday life, often without realizing it. For
example, you have made a list to go shopping, and one of the stores
you plan
to visit closes earlier than the other stores. One Strategy is to hurry
all
your shopping in hopes of reaching the last store before it closes.
This
Strategy is often chosen without a conscious decision. Another Strategy
would
be to visit the store most likely to close first before going to the
other
stores to avoid the need to rush.
People often make decisions without being aware that they are choosing
between different Strategies. To become an effective group, you will
need to
become aware of the fact that you are using a Strategy and make conscious
decisions as to the advantages and disadvantages of alternate Strategies.