César Rengifo’s Post

As an advocate, creating a positive and effective culture in your work involves several key principles and actions: Commitment to Values: Clearly define and uphold core values such as integrity, fairness, and social justice. These values should guide your advocacy efforts and interactions with others. Empathy and Understanding: Demonstrate empathy towards the individuals or groups you advocate for. Understand their perspectives, challenges, and needs to better advocate on their behalf. Effective Communication: Communicate clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing. This includes being able to explain complex issues in a way that resonates with your audience and stakeholders. Collaboration and Networking: Build relationships with other advocates, organizations, policymakers, and stakeholders. Collaborate on common goals and leverage collective strength for greater impact. Strategic Thinking: Develop strategic plans and tactics to achieve your advocacy goals. This involves identifying key issues, setting objectives, and implementing actions that lead to meaningful change. Transparency and Accountability: Operate with transparency in advocacy efforts, keeping stakeholders informed about your activities and decisions. Hold yourself and others accountable for commitments and outcomes. Education and Empowerment: Educate your community or constituency about their rights, options, and opportunities for engagement. Empower them to advocate for themselves and participate in decision-making processes. Respect and Inclusivity: Foster a culture of respect and inclusivity in all interactions. Embrace diversity and ensure that voices from marginalized or underrepresented groups are heard and valued. Adaptability and Learning: Stay informed about evolving issues, policies, and best practices in advocacy. Continuously learn and adapt to new strategies to be more effective and responsive to changing circumstances. Persistence and Resilience: Advocacy often requires persistence in the face of challenges and setbacks. Develop resilience to overcome obstacles and maintain momentum towards achieving goals. By embodying these principles and taking proactive steps to cultivate a positive advocacy culture, one can make a meaningful impact in work and contribute to positive social change.

My takeaways from a leadership session in IBM Z program Advocacy: More Than Just a Word This session shed's light on the multifaceted nature of advocacy. It's not merely about promoting a cause; it's about inspiring, influencing, and empowering others to take action. Key Takeaways: Passion as the Driving Force: The most effective advocacy stems from genuine passion. When you're enthusiastic about a topic, your energy is contagious, and your message resonates more deeply. The Power of Community: Building and nurturing a community is essential for sustained advocacy. By sharing knowledge, offering support, and collaborating with others, we can amplify our impact. Leveraging Resources: The Ambassador Hub is a valuable resource for all of us. It provides tools, templates, and guidance to streamline our advocacy efforts. How This Session Helps Me: This session has equipped me with practical strategies to enhance my advocacy skills. I'm excited to apply these insights to my role as an ambassador: Community Building: I'll actively participate in community forums and initiate discussions to foster a sense of belonging. Content Creation: I'll utilize the provided templates to create engaging social media posts and blog articles. Mentorship: I'll share my knowledge and experience with fellow ambassadors, empowering them to become effective advocates. The Ambassador Hub is a treasure trove of information and support. I encourage everyone to explore its features and utilize the resources to elevate their advocacy efforts. By embracing these principles and leveraging the available resources, we can collectively make a significant impact in the world of technology.

With so much focus on engagement tactics and interventions, closing the feedback loop can sometimes feel like a rush to the finish. Examine how state and local governments can more effectively show that residents have been heard by keeping everyone in the loop from start to finish. https://hubs.la/Q02DTP4x0  #CommunityFeedback #Transparency #CommunityEngagement PublicInput

The Olympics of Neurodiversity Advocacy: What is the Ultimate Honor? As we watch athletes from around the world compete in the Olympics, it’s natural to reflect on what constitutes the pinnacle of achievement in our own fields. For neurodiversity professionals and advocates, what would our version of the Olympics look like? What are the ultimate honors or goals we aspire to? I’m curious to hear the community’s thoughts on this. Many would argue that the highest honor in neurodiversity advocacy is creating lasting, systemic change. This involves transforming societal perceptions and practices to foster an environment where neurodivergent individuals are celebrated. Another benchmark of success in our field could be the creation and implementation of groundbreaking programs and initiatives. These efforts can serve as models for others to follow and can make a substantial difference in the lives of neurodivergent individuals. Examples might include: Targeted Support Programs: Initiatives specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by different groups within the neurodivergent community, such as autistic women or neurodivergent individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. Recognition from the neurodivergent community and peers in the field is a profound honor. This can come in the form of awards from established neurodiversity organizations, positive peer reviews, or being invited to speak at major conferences. Such recognition not only validates one’s work but also helps to amplify the message of neurodiversity advocacy. Individuals who lead by example, embodying the principles of neurodiversity advocacy in their work and daily lives, often earn immense respect. These leaders inspire others through their dedication, empathy, and commitment to creating inclusive environments. Significant achievements often come through collaboration. Forming partnerships with other advocates, organizations, and stakeholders can amplify efforts and lead to greater impact. Building and sustaining national or international networks that promote neurodiversity is a noteworthy accomplishment that parallels the teamwork seen in Olympic events. I’m eager to hear from others in the neurodiversity community. What do you consider the ultimate honor or goal in neurodiversity advocacy and professionalism? What achievements or milestones do you think represent the pinnacle of success in our field? Share your thoughts and experiences, and let’s celebrate the incredible work being done by neurodiversity advocates worldwide.

💡 Sometimes, involving stakeholders to prioritize accessibility can be a challenge. That is why digital designer Yichan Wang offers valuable strategies and selling points to empower you in advocating for accessibility in your workplace. Plus, access useful scripts as starting points to drive change! 📚 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dTtdUfSV #Accessibility #WebDesign #Inclusion #yotako

🚀 Defining a Proactive Advocacy Strategy for the Coming Years 🚀 We're excited to share the success of our recent Advocacy Academy workshop designed for a leading multinational company. Our goal? To develop a forward-looking advocacy strategy plan that empowers teams to proactively engage in the coming year and a half. Workshop Highlights During this intensive session, Paul Shotton and the participants delved into three key EU processes: - The Transition Process for the EU Institutions in 2024 - The Process Leading to the Publication of the 2025 Work Programme - Legislative files: Recently Adopted, Ongoing Files, and Desired for the Coming Five Years Our Advocacy Academy workshop was organized to guide participants through six key parts: 1) Identifying Milestones: We began by identifying critical milestones in the timelines. 2) Defining Objectives: We then defined clear objectives for each milestone to ensure focused and strategic engagement. 3) Engagement Outputs and Activities: Next, we discussed the engagement and the activities needed to achieve those outputs. 4) Communication Assets: We then focused on the assets needed, particularly communication assets and messaging, which must be developed, refreshed, and updated throughout the process. 5) Planning and Dependencies: We reviewed the planning, dependencies, and timing of these activities. 6) Action Plan: Finally, we consolidated this information into a nascent action plan, discussing resources, roles, and the importance of KPIs for measuring both the what and the how of their advocacy work in the coming year. 💡 Innovation in Action: Our hands-on approach was a game-changer! We created a large printed timeline and used post-its and sheets to visually map out milestones, objectives, strategies, and assets. This dynamic, three-hour collaboration resulted in a tangible document that lays out their engagement strategy for the upcoming year. 🔍 Key Insights: - Visual Mapping: Seeing the entire strategy laid out helped identify gaps and overlaps. - Collaborative Planning: Group discussions led to innovative ideas and stronger team alignment. - Tangible Outcomes: Participants left with a clear, actionable plan for the year ahead. Are you ready to transform your advocacy approach? Let's work together to create a proactive and strategic plan for your team! 🌟 #AdvocacyStrategy #Workshops #EU2024-2029 #TeamSuccess

What’s one digital challenge that keeps you up at night? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s discuss how to turn that challenge into an opportunity. 🌙 #DigitalChallenges #Engagement #Community

Your voice is a powerful tool for advocacy in the workplace. When you speak up—whether to champion an idea, address an injustice, or support a colleague—you’re not just representing yourself; you’re driving positive change and creating a culture of respect and inclusion. Advocacy builds bridges, fosters trust, and empowers others to feel seen and valued. Using your voice to advocate purposefully and authentically reinforces your commitment to a fair and supportive environment. Remember, advocating for others not only strengthens your impact but also shapes a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #Advocacy #Leadership #Inclusion #Empowerment

Advocacy matters more than ever, but let’s be real—it’s not always easy to know where to start. The good news is, if you’re an ERG leader, you already have more advocacy skills than you think. At our recent ERG Summit, we explored how ERG leaders naturally develop powerful advocacy skills that extend beyond their immediate roles and into personal and political advocacy. Here are a few of those skills: Bridge building: ERG leaders are pros at connecting different groups and perspectives. They bring together employees, management, and external partners to make progress towards a common goal. Role modeling: ERG leaders lead by example, showing up with empathy and inclusivity. They create safe spaces where others feel comfortable sharing, and they set the tone for what it means to truly support each other. Strategic Influence: Advocating for change isn’t just about passion—it’s about strategy. ERG leaders know how to build buy-in, frame goals to align with company values, and influence key players to make things happen. Data-Driven Decision-Making: ERG leaders understand the power of data. By tracking engagement, participation, and feedback, they make informed decisions and prove the value of their efforts to others. Champions of Change: ERG leaders are the ultimate change agents. They’re constantly pushing for progress, whether that’s through advocating for new policies, launching initiatives, or amplifying underrepresented voices across the organization. If you recognize any of these skills in yourself, chances are you’re more of an advocate than you think. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in — you already know how!

The Advocacy Mindset: Championing Noble Causes Advocacy is a courageous mindset that inspires individuals to stand up, fight for, and build environments that nurture noble ideas. At its core, the advocacy mindset is about using your voice, influence, and determination to drive positive change and make a meaningful impact on the world around you. The Advocate: Characteristics and Strengths The advocate is a passionate and persuasive individual who rallies support for a cause they deeply believe in. They use a combination of strong arguments, emotional appeals, and compelling evidence to address social, political, or environmental issues. Example: An activist speaking the importance of creating inclusive spaces that cater for the disabled communities. A DEIB Advocate for example. Strengths: The advocate's ability to drive change and raise awareness is a powerful asset. They can ignite a spark within their audience, inspiring them to join the cause and work towards a common goal. By building strong emotional connections, the advocate can implore others to unite in purpose, motivating people who wouldn't get involved to become active participants in the movement. Challenges and Key Elements While the advocacy mindset can be highly effective, it is not without its challenges. The advocate's passionate and sometimes aggressive approach can risk alienating certain audience members, who may perceive their tactics as too confrontational. Advocates need to develop a language of diplomacy, conflict resolution and assertive persuasion without judgment and aggression. Key Elements: Persuasive language: The advocate must be skilled in crafting compelling arguments that resonate with their audience. Understand what makes it harder for others to align with views and why their reasons are valid, then build your persuasive argument integrating their concerns. Compelling evidence: They must back up their claims with solid, well-researched evidence to strengthen their position. Emotional appeal: The advocate's ability to tap into the emotions of their audience and create a sense of urgency or connection is crucial to their success. Building an advocacy mindset by developing these key skills, individuals can become powerful agents of change, driving progress and championing the causes they believe in. Through their unwavering dedication and persuasive tactics, advocates can inspire others to join their mission and create a better world for all. Do you have an Advocacy Mindset?