Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance: Are You Really Ready for the Session?
Every year, organizations walk into the legislative session hoping for success. Only a few walk in prepared.
There’s an old saying many advocates know well: “Preparation prevents piss poor performance.” It’s blunt, but it’s true. If you haven’t done the hard work before the gavel drops, you’re not “behind” — you’re done. In today’s political and policy environment, showing up unprepared reduces your chances of success to zero.
The good news? Preparation is completely within your control.
As you gear up for the upcoming session, here are four critical questions you should be asking yourself — and your team.
1. Have You Updated Your Materials?
If you’re walking into a legislator’s office with last year’s fact sheet, you’re sending a message you don’t intend: “This isn’t a priority.”
Ask yourself:
· Are your one-pagers current, accurate, and easy to skim?
· Do your talking points reflect the most recent data, examples, and stories?
· Are your presentations, leave-behinds, and handouts visually clean, professional, and on-message?
· Does your website or advocacy page match what you’re saying at the Capitol?
Your materials are often your first impression when you’re not in the room. Sloppy or outdated materials don’t just weaken your argument — they undermine your credibility.
Action step: Pull every document you plan to use this session and ask, “Would I be proud to hand this to a key legislator right now?” If the answer is anything less than a confident yes, it’s time to update.
2. Have You Clarified the Issue So Anyone Can Understand It?
You may live and breathe your issue. Legislators don’t. Their plates are full of hundreds of bills, competing demands, and limited time.
If your issue can’t be explained clearly in a couple of minutes, you have a problem.
Your goal should be:
· Plain language, not jargon.
· A clear problem.
· A clear solution.
· A clear “why now.”
If a board member, staff person, or even a family member can’t repeat your message in their own words, it’s too complicated.
Try this simple structure:
1. “Here’s the problem…”
2. “Here’s who it affects…”
3. “Here’s what our bill does…”
4. “Here’s why it matters to your district…”
Action step: Hold a short internal “message test.” Explain your issue to someone who isn’t deep in the weeds and ask them to repeat it back. If they struggle, the issue isn’t clear enough yet.
3. Have You Identified the Opposition and Built Your Counter-Arguments?
If you don’t know who’s against you, you don’t have a strategy — you have a wish.
Every serious legislative effort must answer:
· Who is likely to oppose this bill?
· What are their arguments?
· How will they try to frame the issue?
· What do they stand to lose if your bill passes?
Too often, organizations act surprised when opposition shows up in committee with emotional testimony, organized talking points, and a clear narrative. That surprise is a preparation problem.
You don’t have to agree with your opposition, but you must understand them. Only then can you craft credible, respectful counter-arguments that resonate with legislators.
Action step: List your likely opponents and write out their best arguments as they would say them. Then develop clear, concise responses backed by facts, stories, and real-world impact
4. Have You Prepared Your Sponsors for What They’ll Encounter?
A bill sponsor is a powerful asset — but only if they are prepared.
Sponsors often juggle multiple bills and priorities. If you haven’t taken the time to equip them, you’re asking them to carry your issue uphill blindfolded.
Ask yourself:
· Have you given your sponsors clean talking points they can use in caucus, in committee, and on the floor?
· Do they have answers to the toughest questions they’re likely to hear?
· Have you walked them through likely opposition, potential amendments, and political landmines?
· Are they clear on your non-negotiables and where there’s room to compromise?
A well-prepared sponsor knows the roadmap and is ready for the twists and turns. An unprepared sponsor can unintentionally weaken your bill — or lose it entirely.
Action step: Schedule a prep meeting with your sponsors before the session heats up. Treat it like a strategy session, not a courtesy call.
The Bottom Line: Success Is Built Before the Session Starts
Legislative success rarely comes from luck. It comes from:
· Updated, professional materials
· A clear, simple message
· A realistic understanding of opposition
· Well-prepared sponsors and advocates
If any one of these pieces is missing, your advocacy program is operating with a built-in handicap.
The upcoming session is an opportunity — but only for those who are ready. Preparation prevents piss poor performance. It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s a standard.
Now is the time to tighten your message, sharpen your materials, train your team, and walk into the Capitol with a plan — not a hope.
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If you’d like help stress-testing your strategy, sharpening your message, or training your board, staff, or sponsors to be effective advocates, I’m ready to work with you to make this session your most successful yet.
