Tag Archives: campaigns

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v24

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As I look to my schedule, I can see that my summer is well planned with lots of work projects. Fall has always been my favorite season because of the change of temperature and we’re in the heady days of campaigning. I’ve always worked in places where we’re bundling up and finishing the night’s work with whatever baseball game is on for the World Series. My colleagues who work in the warmer states, I have no idea what it feels like to campaign in shorts and it always makes me feel a bit out of place in the same way when I’m celebrating Christmas and there are palm trees around me. This is my 11th campaign season as a political operative and although technology has changed tremendously (I remember when it was 1996 and I was using a thermal fax machine to transfer phone banking information!), I know that what really matters is that you understand how your district wants to be communicated and how to message them so that they want to listen to your message. This will always be about connecting with people and talking with them in the mediums that they want to communicate, whether that’s one on one in a face to face (door to door) or by text message. Understand that people want to be heard and will engage when they see that you want to understand them.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Did you get a chance to catch my FB hangout with Tammy Gordon when we talked about the Joys and Challenges of Being Your Own Boss? If not, you can hop over to the Arum Group FB and take a look see! If you thought it was helpful, please feel free to share it! Much thanks to Tammy and her team member, Christina Giordana for taking the time to hang with me and to Arum Group Team members, Hyunju Bin and Samantha Ng for designing the graphic and for setting up all the tech pieces! #BOSS
  • One of the topics that Tammy and I didn’t cover was the juggle of having a life partner in the equation. Occasionally I will get asked this question about balancing my work and the life that I’m creating with my spouse. One variable I don’t have is children, which in itself is a totally different dynamic. I, along with my spouse made a very conscious decision early in our lives that we would not have children and I strongly believe that this decision is unique to everyone. Only you know what is best for your life and I’ve had conversations with people who have vehemently disagreed with my choice. My response to them is “You don’t live my life, I do and your choices are yours so I will also choose to not judge your decisions because I will never really know the challenges and happiness that you enjoy but I will be supportive of whatever you choose.” End of conversation. There are going to be times when you won’t have the attention span to give to your partner and as in the case of the author of this article, she didn’t have an infrastructure for her business when she fell in love. Each relationship can be intoxicating – you’re in love with your work life and in love with your partner. What kind of infrastructure/support system can you create to make it work?
  • We live in a world of busy (which I personally hate) because everyone likes to think that it’s perfectly normal to be out of control with their schedules. Don’t get sucked into the world of busy! I completely understand that the to do list can be crazy! The ability to focus on a large project can be daunting when your to do list is 10 feet long. Here are ways to be more productive. Don’t multi-task and find when you’re likely to do your best work. I know the type of conditions I need to get big thinking, which leads to big doing done. I can’t have music playing, unless it’s classical; if the tv is on then it can be the news and sometimes I can put on a cooking show on mute; no emails and no other social media apps to distract me. Most importantly, I set a timer. I estimate how long it’s going to take me to get that project done and I take that time to focus. I reward myself by checking my social media apps to see what’s going on in the world while I was working. One of the things that I need to work on is meditation. Every article that I read talks about its effects and I need to get on that train! What tips are helpful to you in being more productive?
  • I work with non-profits to help them with their fundraising and we often talk about how donors are “investors” to these organizations. What’s frustrating is that even when we speak in “for-profit” terms, we’re still working with unrealistic expectations for non-profits. If you work directly in non-profits, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading Nonprofit with Balls. Every time I read this blog, I find myself nodding my head and laughing while simultaneously wanting a glass of wine because I think it will make it all better. In all seriousness, it provides a serious lens to the environment that many non-profits face. Changing how we view ourselves and what we want others to know about the work that we do will hopefully educate those who think that non-profits are less serious than for-profit entities.
  • I live in the bubble of the Beltway. It’s a very privileged life and I realize that if I want to know what’s going on in the world, I need to listen to those who are not in this enclave. When I started campaigning, I would work elsewhere to see what topics were important to people who don’t live and breathe politics everyday (you know, normal people). Everyone’s financial situation is unique and learning how others live makes me reflect on what money can buy. Here are the stories of 4 women with 4 different incomes and how they afford to live their lives.
  • How much does self doubt rear its nasty head in your life? There are days when it’s screaming in mine, but I take a deep breath and listen to MY voice, the only sound that matters. I think of myself as pragmatic. There are times when I’ve tried a few things that didn’t work out and I chalk that up to finding the right rhythm to get into a groove. Did that work? No, well then let’s try something different. I grew up getting straight A’s – all the time. It’s a horrible feeling! Yes, the joy of having excelled at subjects transitions to Oh shiz, I gotta do it again next quarter, next semester, next year. The 1st time I got a B, I freaked out that my parents would be disappointed in me (they were fine). The kinds of expectations that I put on myself were making me tough and giving me habits to apply to other things outside of school, but it also made me question whether I should do something if I thought it wouldn’t be PERFECT. GAWD – I love perfect – when nothing goes wrong and everything comes out just like you envisioned. Fear of not getting something done perfectly or even done as well as your peers can lead to paralysis. Throw in self doubt and you have created a lethal dose of destruction. Self doubt got nothing on you.
  • Every day that I work in politics, I come to the realization that my job is to be part of the story telling mechanism that promotes my clients. It’s the best productive thing you can do to create a brand and solidify a reputation. When I meet a candidate, one of the 1st things I ask is, “What’s your story?”. Why? It gives me a sense of how they’re pitching themselves to prospects, donors, influencers, the media, you name it! We talk about the elevator pitch and this is essentially it. What makes you unique and what makes you memorable and above else, what makes you relatable to people who you’re convincing to vote for you, give you money, and what other asks you have of them. This also applies to your own individual narrative. You need to learn these skills to be an effective leader. Leading a team involves so much more than commanding directives and project management. It means sharing your vulnerabilities and being authentic. You value people (and brands) when they’re honest and when they’re welcoming. That can lead to admiration and respect – qualities that any brand would want.

That’s it folks – let me know your comments and like/share the post! Thanks for reading!

— Madalene

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v20

We have been in non stop fundraising mode and it’s fantastic! We’re right in the middle of the frenzy so we’ve got a few more weeks before we get to Memorial Day weekend but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • In the past, we’ve talked about breaking bad habits and the variety of ways you can remind yourself to stop going down the same road. Here’s another “shocking” way to get you to stop! Would you do it?
  • Having the right attitude about yourself is essential to having self confidence. We’re always a work in progress so when setbacks occur, you need to have the mental will power to keep pushing through. It’s not always easy and reminders can help you get through days when you need more than a mental pat on the back.
  • This article spoke to me because as a woman of color, it reminded me of what it was like to join a profession where I didn’t start working with a strong ethnic identity. Visually, you see an Asian American woman and all the Caucasian women who helped me along the way took a chance on an unexperienced, yet somewhat talented and hardworking individual. It felt welcoming and safe to know that these women thought I could continue in politics as an operative. As a result, they helped me gain entree to the table and it was up to me to keep getting myself invited back to the table. What did that require? It meant that I had to deliver. I had to do what I said I would do and meet/exceed expectations. It also meant that I had to allow myself to feel that I deserved to be not only in the room, but that I was a vital part of the conversation. I could not have self doubt. If there was a time to NOT have imposter syndrome, it was every time I was part of a team discussion. For each early experience of being part of those discussions, I took as an opportunity to listen and learn. It’s now my responsibility to also cultivate the same kind of environment for others and to create the space for those to listen to their unique super-powers. Where are you in this process and what are you doing to create space?
  • Since this article is so timely, I really enjoyed reading it! Remember last week’s edition, I shared the article about the differences between male and female donors in philanthropy. This article talks more about female donors becoming more politically active and getting more comfortable about sharing their political views.
  • Here’s a great article about how to approach female donors for philanthropic endeavors. Each point also transfers for political asks as well. If you reverse the situation and have a female candidate making a political ask, it works just as well to explain each of the points to get that connection. Fundraising isn’t about the mad dash/slash & burn method but one where you can build relationships.
  • It’s a leap of faith to live the life you want. Everyday distractions and yeah, life itself can get in the way. So how to do you course correct and redesign the life you want? Here are the 3 very remarkable questions that will get you onto the road. Where will it take you?

Thanks for reading/sharing and let me know what you think in the comments!

— Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v19

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I’m still reflecting on last week because it was fun filled and also so jam packed with the start of AAPI Heritage Month! By the time I got to Saturday afternoon, I was exhausted but it was the kind of exhaustion that comes with knowing that I got a ton of shiz done! I hope that you’re finding life to be fulfilling! The House is BACK so what does that mean? We’re diving into the deep end for the next 3 weeks before they go back to district work period. Let’s go!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Last Saturday I had so much fun doing a fundraising training for the Women’s Information Network (WIN). A great crew came out on a Saturday morning (just when the sun started to make an appearance!) and spent the next 90+ minutes with me getting knowledge bombed 🙂 PLUS! I captured it on Facebook LIVE so if you want to get a very basic understanding on political fundraising then stop by my personal Facebook page and catch the video in the news feed. If you have questions, leave me a comment in the comments section of the video and I can respond!
  • One of the things that I talked about in the fundraising 101 is that you have to get very comfortable talking with people who are complete strangers. You do it on the phone and you do it in person. A good way to practice is at networking events! Here are 6 ways that you can talk with absolutely anybody and not have them think that you’re a complete wack-a-doodle 🙂
  • The number one question that I get when I do candidate trainings on fundraising is “How do I start when I don’t know when I’m going to run” and my answer is massage, nurture and grow your list. That list is uniquely yours and the more you stay connected with people by bringing them value, the more you’ll be able to turn key a fundraising operation when you decide to run for elected office. It works in politics in the same way that it works in corporate networking. You don’t want a massive amount of business cards laying around with no value – it doesn’t help you and it certainly doesn’t help the person who is on the card! I keep a database of people who are my rolling network. I meet people ALL. THE. TIME. What’s important is how we connect, keeping that connection, AND most importantly – HOW I CAN HELP THEM! Here’s a great article on networking that makes it so simple!
  • One of the best parts of political fundraising is that the skills you learn doing it are actually transferable to other industries! I have a good number of colleagues who are former politicos who have moved into non-profit fundraising, donor management, development at educational and arts institutions. When you think about the skills necessary for any kind of political organizing, you can see where it can be quite useful in a corporate setting.
  • It’s graduation season so there’s a new crop of recent college graduates on the look out for new jobs and in a few months time, people will be leaving their jobs to start graduate studies and return to the full time student life. It’s the ebb and flow of the hiring process. Here’s wonderful advice on the steps you need to take to find a job, no matter what!
  • Here’s a fascinating article discussing the differences between Men and Women on their charitable giving. The studies shows that single women are more likely to give to charity than single men. Now if that could translate into politics…
  • I need to give a shout out to my very first finance associate, Jian Zapata Kim. She was recently featured by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association in honor of AAPI Heritage Month and from the time she started at my office as an intern, she continues to make the world a better place. She has always carried herself with grace and with such a demanding job, continues to find ways to be an ever ready team player, friend and colleague. I look forward to witnessing her many other accomplishments in the years ahead!

That’s a wrap! Thanks for reading/sharing and let me know your comments! Don’t forget, you can view my video on political fundraising 101 on the Arum Group Facebook page and you can leave me questions!

— Madalene

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v18

WOW – We’re in the month of May!!! Can you believe it?? It also means that we’re celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (#APAHM2016). This week is particularly busy because although the House is out of session, we’ve got Asian Prom and so so so many events throughout the week and the month. I love my people!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • This week is also Week of WIN! What does that mean? It means YOU have a whole week to get to know more about WIN and to get involved in all of the great activities! Learn more here. On May 7th at 11am Eastern, I’ll be conducting a fundraising training as part of Week of WIN so RSVP here. There may also be some Facebook live action on my Facebook work page. TUNE IN!
  • As a professional woman, I like to think that I get treated in the same manner as my male colleagues. When you’re in a senior leadership role, it can be daunting to be one of the boys and the question always remains of whether or not you’re ever really accepted as part of the cool crowd. When it’s in doubt, don’t be afraid to assert yourself. I don’t watch morning television, however I couldn’t help but notice the brouhaha over the announcement of Michael Strahan’s departure from Live With Kelly and Michael. Office politics playing out on national news is never good and of course, I’m not privy to the internal workings of network programming, however it was a clear example of how women are treated in senior leadership and the repercussions of asserting your authority. It’s a high cost of being a woman in charge.
  • I think I have a theme here about women being in charge! Another issue that women in charge face is a higher scrutiny of their mistakes. We’re not perfect people – no gender is – and yet, women are more criticized when mistakes happen. When men dominate across a majority of industries, it’s a challenge for women to go beyond the negative descriptions when we’re in leadership positions. Gender stereotypes only deepen criticism.
  • Since we’re in #APAHM2016 mode, learn more about the AAPI community and bust the model minority myth! Although I’m an active member of this community, I learned a great deal about how to combat the stereotypes and not fall into generalizations about my community. The more you know!
  • I first met Frank Wu when he was in DC and he would support the campaigns of my clients. He continues to give sage advice to AAPI young professionals in one of his recent Huffington Post articles. I think it should be required reading for any AAPI who is starting their professional career regardless of their choice of industry. Read up!
  • I have a lot of colleagues in the political fundraising space that are women and often times, we maybe the sole female in senior leadership on a campaign. It could be perceived that women are better at it (I like to think that women are great at everything!) and KQED even did a story on Why do Women Dominate Political Fundraising. I have a lot of ideas about it that I can share at a later time.

Thanks for sharing/reading – tell what you’re up to this week!

— Madalene

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v17

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Can you believe it’s the last week of April?? In a month’s time, we’ll be in the unofficial throes of Summer and campaign season will be crazy busy. We’ve got lots going on and we’re optimistic for what the rest of the year brings. I’ve also been having fun with Snap Chat so if you’re inclined to snap – add me: madalene.mielke!

Here’s Tuesday Truths:

  • Are you considered the note taker during your meetings? On big meetings, there are sometimes multiple note takers to make sure that everything gets covered because topics can go fast and furious. Junior staff in my office are usually given that task when I take them to meetings and the more meticulous those notes, chances are that you would have captured the essence of the meeting (discussion, action items & deadlines etc.). Some may think that this is a mundane task when in fact, it’s a critical piece of having a successful meeting. It’s a great example of how well you’re listening, and how quickly you can process information. Here’s an outline that you can follow to help you gain structure in your note taking. If you’re taking notes for yourself during meetings, knowing how you best recall notes can help you reach goals quicker when you recognize how all the parties involved are reaching their goals.
  • There are days when I like that I’m a boutique consulting firm and days when I wonder if I would like to have a flurry of people in my office working for me like in days past. As I celebrate 20+ years of working in politics, I recognize the things that I will subject myself to for clients. I still have a bit of idealism that keeps me passionate about working in this space and here’s the thing, I also know what I don’t want to do in my line of work and that comes from having done it for so long. I enjoy working with my colleagues and helping those who are new to the consulting business in their search for clients. Do I foresee my career continuing in this field? Yes, however in a different composition of my own choosing. When you’ve reached a career that spans decades, you’ve earned the right to make those kind of choices and reinvention has never looked so good.
  • I thank my momma everyday for giving me genes to maintain a youthful appearance. Fortunately, I work in DC where the saying goes, “We’re Hollywood for ugly people” so my looks don’t necessarily take center stage when it comes to my work. That’s not to say that my youthful appearance hasn’t been a source of contention. DC has a lot of young people – A LOT – so when you’re mistaken for a staff assistant or someone with a lesser title because you look young, it can be a blessing or a curse. Campaigns are made for young people with distinguished titles (“titles are free” but are your responsibilities and compensation = senior leadership). You can have a campaign manager overseeing a multi million dollar budget and still be in your 30s. I remember when I was in my early 30s and at that point, already a veteran of several campaigns and I had already started my consulting business that a slightly older, but not that much older male statewide elected official commented that they couldn’t envision me having managed staff (!!). OOOHHHH – KKKAAAAYYYY Was that a commentary on his lack of knowledge of my skills or his astonishment that I was older than what I appeared? My friends and I are relatively in the same age range and in fact, I don’t even know their specific ages unless they decide that they want to celebrate their birthdays with a number. I don’t base my opinions of people on that really inconsequential number because it’s about the level of experience that gets my motor running. It’s exciting to me to see a young person who has accomplished their goals and doing things that people double their age have never done and it’s equally important when I talk with an older woman who has done so much and is still creating their own set of rules. Comparisons come into play and life experiences only mean something when you’ve actually had a chance to experience life. Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you’re wise. No matter the age, it means that you’ve done or you’re doing something with your life and I’ll respect anyone who can share their stories. In a professional setting, older women are pushed aside because they’re no longer seen as assets when their life experiences certainly amount to wisdom. It’s not the age that matters but what you’ve done with your life that does.
  • When I talked about titles being free, I really meant it. Of course, that’s a totally different post on negotiation but what it also means is that your title doesn’t earn you respect either.  Leaders are made through their actions and how well you treat your peers and the people on your team have direct and indirect consequences. My former staff will readily admit that I’m a tough boss. I demand excellence but also understand when mistakes are made (we’re not perfect) and they know that I will have their backs. If we screw up something for a client, it ultimately falls on me because the buck really does stop at my desk. My office culture is that I want you to succeed, whether it’s in my office or after you leave. I may or may not be able to help you do your next job but I can certainly impart the sentiment that we’re always there to help one another. There’s an unofficial mantra that once you’ve worked for me (and performed well) that you will always be a part of my network and that each former staffer is responsible for the next generation or the many, many generations after.
  • Last week I went to a reception where I saw my old boss, Chef Bob Kinkead receive the Duke Zeibert award from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. This award is given to a person who has contributed to the success of DC’s restaurant industry. He has countless former staff all over the area enhancing the dining experience of those visiting or living in our nation’s capital. I have so much respect for those who work in the hospitality industry because no matter how well your day may be going, someone walking into the restaurant may be having a craptastic day and your job is to make them happy. Sometimes it doesn’t always work out but when you have great service, a welcoming atmosphere and delicious food, you’ll have a winning combination to turn that person’s day around. Did you know that I used to be a restaurant manager at a James Beard winning chef’s restaurant where the owner was also a winner of Restauranteur of the Year? Yeah, there’s a lot of expectation with that kind of reputation! Which leads me to sharing the profile of Maria Trabocchi. She’s the co-owner of Fiola, Fiola Mare, Casa Luca and many many more soon to open restaurants. Fiona recently celebrated their 5th anniversary and it’s one of my favorite restaurants in town. I’ve talked about her restaurants on my personal blog because the food is delicious and the way they treat their customers is equally fantastic. I rang in 2016 at Fiola Mare, spent many anniversaries and other celebratory events at Fiola and have had fundraising dinners at Casa Luca. Treat your customers well and they will reward you in so many different ways. It’s a lesson that Maria teaches everyday.

Thanks for reading/sharing and tell me your thoughts by emailing me or in the comments!

— Madalene

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v16

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This is one hellacious week! Why?! By the end of the week, I would have had to deal with 8 fundraisers in a span of 5 days. Luckily, I only have another round (next week!) of crazy before I get a breather to start it all over again in mid May. The joys of being in election season. But who am I kidding? This is the kind of work that I didn’t realize I wanted to do, so although the days can be long and the details can get tedious, I’m proud of the work that my team and I get to do everyday.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Whether you’re on your 1st job or on your 10th, your professional career never ends. I had a wonderful opportunity to work in a different industry from politics and that professional detour still reaps rewards in the form of personal relationships. There was a time when I thought that I had to separate my professional and personal time. Yes, there are definitely moments when I want the barrier because I want that work life balance thing, but what’s important is realizing that social connections through your work relationships shows that you’re more than just your job. It’s less transactional and more about building experiences with one another. Your network becomes invested in your success and who knows, there may be a time when you change your mind and want to move in a different direction. The essential habits you utilize will be there to help you transition to wherever you decide.
  • One of the questions I often get with fundraising or becoming a 1st time candidate is “How do I prioritize my relationships so that it doesn’t look like I’m being calculating?”. Totally understandable because you want to be authentic while also working towards building relationships with those who are influencers in their industries/constituencies. This question is also a basic question when it comes to networking. Having depth in your relationships with a few key member is more valuable than a stack of business cards of people who you met but don’t have a connection. You can boost your network by being strategic on who you network with but don’t confuse that with the attitude that someone who isn’t on your list isn’t worth the time to talk with or connect. There’s always your priority list and you being on someone else’s priority list.
  • While you’re out networking, remember to make a good impression! Engagement and interest along with authentic interactions can make you memorable when you’re trying to get to people who are better established or those who are your peers or just getting started. We’ve all been somewhere on the ladder so remember those who have helped you and pay it forward.
  • Working in politics and public service doesn’t necessarily reap rewards in your bank account but when you enter the private sector, remember to use this handy dandy tool to calculate the real worth of your job offer.
  • I’m a little eccentric when it comes to my work attire choices. I’m not restricted with the standards of being a Hill staffer so I have a bit more freedom when it comes to choosing my professional appearance. DC gets a bad rap for being stodgy and a town of many shades of black, grey, & navy but here are ideas of how to create your own rules for your next work day style. For the dudes – if you thought you weren’t included in the article, there are tips for you too so check it out!!
  • Continuing my search for people who create their own luck, I found Leiti Hsu, a former finance person (not the fundraiser kind like me but the real kind that you find working in the trenches analyzing companies as an investment banker) who transitioned into becoming a food radio host. Recently I joined Snap Chat (come snap with me – madalene.mielke) and found her on snap chat at @leitihsu. At the time she was in NYC at a food conference and later made her way to New Orleans (my 2nd home!). She was taking me on a culinary journey as well as showing me daily life in these industries. As a result, I wanted to learn more of her story and found this wonderful article where she was interviewed by Jill Filipovic. Leiti and I ended up snapping one another and it’s been fun catching a glimpse of her adventures.

Thanks for reading/sharing and let me know what you think in the comments!

— Madalene

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v12

I had a terrific time at the NLC training over the weekend. The participants had extremely good questions asking about how fundraising in underserved communities affects your finance plan. Campaigns are constantly trying to break through all the white noise by finding appropriate messengers to serve the message in mediums that are comfortable to the intended audience. Building connections and establishing relationships are the heart of campaigns. I wish the participants much success in their endeavors and the progressive movement is fortunate to have so much diverse talent ready to serve.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Growing your network while being authentic in your actions can be a daunting task. It helps when you have an interest outside of your field of expertise and proactively tell people about it! I always say that I’m a “Jill” of all trades and the master of nothing because I keep such varied interests in rotation. The ones that stand out for me are eating (who doesn’t like to do that!) so I often get asked where to go for dining options, and my choices in wardrobe attire. When I worked as a manager of a James Beard winning chef’s restaurant, the wait staff would tell me that they could envision me as a cooking instructor (maybe this goes back to my love of teaching!) and people who ask me to help them as a stylist. Obviously all of these interests are outside of my professional expertise, but people identify these as activities where I can excel. This all leads to how you can better network as you progress in your careers. It makes life more multi dimensional and brings another flavor to your character.
  • People often call me to ask me what they need to do in preparation for a run for elected office. I always tell them that they need to massage their network. It’s also important to be  a part of different organizations and to be active as a community leader. It doesn’t necessarily mean be a social butterfly and collect a ton of business cards that never really mean anything to anyone, most importantly you if you’re trying to make meaningful connections. If you need to reset your networking goals, here are 3 tips to make your networking more successful.
  • I’m a little late to this game because I’m already a workaholic but there may still be hope for me yet. I’ve always said that people shouldn’t stay in the office for the sake of looking like they’re putting in more hours. If your work is done, then Buh Bye! This doesn’t apply if you’re an assistant and your boss is still burning the midnight oil but however way you can help in making your boss’ life easier will score brownie points. In every industry it’s a little different how people manage their work life but here’s how you can still advance in your career without being a workaholic.
  • I’m not even in this age range anymore (!!!) but I can tell you that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also give less F*CKs about what people think (maybe a wee bit and mainly that goes to my long time friends who have always supported me in my goals). I recently visited with a few of my high school classmates (some of them who have become closer friends as we’ve gotten older and some who have been life long friends who have been with me during some turbulent years) and we were reminiscing about how much we’ve changed or stayed the same. What people thought of me then is the same as what people think of me now. I’m quiet until you get to know me and then you realize that I’m a very animated person. The saying about me is that I’m cool but not **cool** as in not very warm. My closest friends have commented that upon meeting me, I don’t necessarily come off as standoffish but I have a guard up that is seemingly hard to crack. Maturity plays a factor of how much you can change as you age, but core personality traits will always be at the heart of who you are as a person. It’s with experience, you learn to become more warm and more extroverted as deemed by circumstances (in my case).
  • Ever wonder what your salary would be if you worked as part of the senior leadership team of a presidential campaign? Look no further – here you go! Does it surprise you that the Kasich campaign is the only campaign that has a female as the campaign manager? How about in the Sanders campaign that no one in the top 10 highest paid employees are women? In the Trump campaign, no one breaks 6 figures and in the Cruz campaign, the Political Director makes $192,000 – the highest paid person of any of the presidential campaigns. #politicscanbefun
  • I know several people who work from home and for some it was their 1st time in that type of situation. They wondered if they could survive the lack of structure that goes with working from home. The physical location of my office is my home but I have staff who come to my office as if it’s an actual office building to work. So I don’t necessarily follow the norms of “Working from Home” and when I don’t have staff, I still maintain some pretty crazy hours. Campaign life doesn’t have a work from home aspect. The camaraderie that’s built working on a campaign builds a stronger rapport of trust and dependence on your team members. Here are some hard truths about that work lifestyle – what do you do if you work from home to maintain structure?
  • When you think you need to re-assess your goals to get to the next level, use these lessons to get you motivated. I’m always re-tooling productivity and trying to find ways to be more efficient. Whenever I get overwhelmed and think I can’t do anymore, I take a step back to find the small triumphs and that gets me excited to take the next step. I work in teams with my clients and we normally discuss strategy as a team but I have to execute it mainly solo so going back to the team to think of ideas helps to create a collaborative space. Knowing that I have colleagues who are supportive in the goal is important in creating a safe place to explore new ideas.

Alright folks – tell me your stories! Thanks for sharing/reading and if you thought this was helpful, tell a friend to subscribe!

— Madalene

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v10

It’s #InternationalWomensDay! Let’s celebrate those women who have made it possible for us to live better lives and continue to encourage girls to know their value.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • I’m a bit of wack-a-doodle for getting up at the crack of dawn to work out, even on weekends, but I know that getting my exercise in the morning is the best time for me, otherwise it won’t happen. Sometimes it’s really hard for me to slow down because I know that there’s so much I want to do. Starting my day early allows me to extend the hours that I have to get the most out of life and as I get older, taking naps or taking a break seem like a distant memory. Here are a few ways how you can have seemingly endless energy.
  • When I once served as a mentor to the Running Start Fellows program, their main advisor Arnie Thomas told me that he thought I was meant to be a teacher and he was probably right. Although I have the technical skills and experience as a fundraiser, I truly enjoy my training portfolio that much more. One of the things that I’ve recognized in myself is that I’m a “sharer” which comes to a surprise to most people because I’m an only child (do only children always have such a bad rap?). Nonetheless, I like sharing whatever knowledge I possess to those who are interested in learning. If it’s not knowledge that I share then having time to volunteer on projects that mean a great deal to me is part of that teacher mentality. I may not know a whole lot but I know that it makes one’s life that much more fulfilling.
  • Every once in a while, I get into a mood where I contemplate the old adage, “What am I doing with my life?”. After 40+ years of living on this Earth, I still wonder if I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing or if I’m meant to do something else. To be perfectly honest, I usually get this way when I’m a little overwhelmed. For a time when I had my quarter life crisis, I wasn’t feeling fulfilled and wasn’t sure if I was doing what was right for me. Having the privilege of choice can create fear and paralysis. In the end, it always came down to what I was passionate about and having the belief in myself that I could do it if I created my own path. I know that I will continue to examine my life’s purpose for the foreseeable future as a way to check if I’ve gotten lazy and now I have the perfect set of questions to ask myself.
  • I get really excited when I see AAPIs succeed, especially in the political world because hey, I want to see more of my people engaging in the electoral process. It’s nice to see that it’s becoming more common to see AAPIs running for elected office and winning!
  • I first met Amy Dacey when she worked at the DCCC and I worked at the DNC so I’ve seen this woman in action for a long, long time. Well deserved article touting her abilities to get the job done as the CEO of the Democratic National Committee.
  • Most of you know of my involvement of the Women’s Information Network (WIN) and through that organization, I’ve had such a wonderful experience meeting young women who are doing extraordinary things. I want to give a personal shout out on this #InternationalWomensDay to the women (Katie Breslin, Christy Carter, & Claire Gould) behind a soon-to-be launched podcast called Beyond the Ceiling. They’re telling the stories of women who are making the world a better place. Catch their inaugural podcast on March 10th!

Alright folks, what you have up your sleeves for the upcoming week?? Share them in the comments or drop me a line!

Thanks for reading/sharing!

— Madalene

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v9

It’s SUPER TUESDAY – 13 states and one territory have their primaries and caucuses today – only in DC would there be a happy hour to watch the returns. If you’re a sports fan, you will see that today is the playoffs for the Superbowl, World Series, Olympics, Stanley Cup etc..all rolled into one. In my world that means I have about 8 more months before my vacation 🙂

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Washington, DC is a destination city. It’s a place where there’s a constant stream of people dreaming to work here. Sometimes people fall into positions, but it’s a high probability that people mapped out a strategy to find employment. In an earlier post I shared a great list to where you could find campaign related jobs (here) and now, my friends over at the Campaign Workshop are sharing advice on the strategy in finding a job. Combined it can make the process a little more manageable and can help in a more efficient search. Good luck!
  • As a manager or someone who is in a supervisory role, motivating your team is an essential part of the job. It keeps up morale and helps to quickly identify problems that may not yet have surfaced. I believe that every person has a different reason for doing things and although the team may be on the same page, everyone gets something uniquely personal out of the experience. So although the headline for the article is slightly misleading, it’s really determining how each of us should build relationships so that we can create an experience that motivates us to succeed.
  • It seems that DC attracts young, well-educated single women – check out these numbers! Which leads me to a piece written in New York magazine about how single women hold the most important political clout of any other demographic. Society has placed restraints on women and doesn’t equally count your voice unless you’re married. (I love my momma but she didn’t think I became a woman until I got married and just for that, I held out from getting married even though I was living with my husband for 7 years before we got married and even then, I eloped.) The policies that can affect change are dependent on this demographic using its voice. Not all single women are high income earners and in fact, many of them are single parents who are juggling paying for child care and earning a wage without the ability to schedule their work hours around when the voting polls are open.

Thanks for reading/sharing! Don’t forget to share you comments!

— Madalene

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v8

Photo credit via

It’s been an eventful week as we execute plans for the Democratic primary and even though there is so much going on, this is what working in politics entails. Over the weekend, I spent part of my Saturday at The Women in Politics Institute at American University as a Guest Speaker at a Women & the 2016 Elections weekend session. It was amazing to talk with such a dynamic group as we discussed what it means to be a woman working in this industry as well as the challenges that women candidates face. I marvel at the fact that I’ve worked in this business for 20 years and have seen the demographic change to include more diverse individuals, but yet there’s still more work to do.  I hope to still be around in the next 20 years to see how much we’ve progressed. This class certainly gave me inspiration for the future!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • I’m excited to be participating at WIN’s Young Women of Achievement (YWA) awards this coming Thursday. If you haven’t purchased your ticket, get on it! I had the opportunity to meet quite a few of the 55 women who were nominated for their respective industry awards earlier in the month and they are all extraordinary people who make a difference in their organizations and the broader community as a whole. I made remarks that evening commenting that after reviewing their resumes, I wondered what I had done with my life because they were already well accomplished. As a result, this made me reflect that I could have chosen a better way to congratulate these women because I know that life is not about comparisons and that there are times when people feel that they’re falling behind to their peers. All of these women have seized opportunities and made it their own. I hope that everyone gives themselves the room to take it all in.
  • If you’re looking for ways to re-focus your journey, here are some great ideas to jump start your adventure. I recently met with a woman who is starting a new life (leaving her 25+ marriage, moving from a very well established life in a northeast state to DC where she hasn’t lived since her college days, no longer managing a household with a husband and 2 grown children etc..) and she’s ready to dive back into the work force and brush up on her social media skills. That takes a lot of courage and the mental wherewithal to take steps to change a very familiar routine. Life is a constant reinvention of self. I try to push outside of my comfort zone so that I can feel and embrace the fear. I took up surfing for that particular reason. Even with multiple trips out into various oceans, I still have my WTF moments and wonder why I put myself in these situations. I always know the answer and yet I still ask the question. I don’t want to be complacent and when the familiar becomes too familiar that new sensation creates a different perspective of how the world operates. Starting a new chapter can be exhilarating and downright scary but the water’s just fine – jump in!
  • A revealing article on how to have more presence in your workplace from Amy Cuddy, a Professor and Researcher at Harvard Business School. It articulates how much active listening creates a level of trust with your colleagues and staff. Important factors to remember when you’re working in your organizations!
  • With so many networking opportunities in DC, there can be times when you can’t seem to get beyond the small talk. Here’s to moving into medium talk! I thought the questions were great in engaging people. Small talk is innocuous and doesn’t allow for people to GET REAL. Do you have some favorite medium talk moments?
  • Regardless of whether you’re a Hillary supporter or not, everyone needs to acknowledge that there are crazy high expectations of women in positions of authority. Known as the double bind, women are constantly critiqued against a scale that doesn’t apply to men. It’s something that needs to stop and it begins by recognizing it in the first place.

Thanks for reading/sharing – tell me what new adventures are on your horizon!!

— Madalene