Finding Commonalities and Solutions With Decision-Makers
Characteristics Across Archetypes
While the aim is to narrow in on specific ways of thinking, there are some broad characteristics across all the archetypes. The insights below — drawn from interviews and existing research — help envision a “typical” conservative decision-maker.
Core Beliefs
Freedom is an overarching value for conservative decision-makers. From that value core beliefs in limited government and parental choice emerge.
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Collective or systems solutions, especially coming from the government, are often rejected. To support parents who don’t have what they need, most conservative decision-makers favor policies that educate parents about how to raise healthy babies, find existing resources and become more self-sufficient.
TIPIn PN-3 and related conversations, acknowledge that parents have a responsibility to care for their children, and PN-3 policies aim to create conditions where parents have what they need to act on that responsibility. This same idea, creating conditions where people have opportunity and choice, works across issues.
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The closely held belief in personal freedom makes concerns about government over-regulation a priority issue.
Steps taken by local governments to protect and/or promote health and well-being are sometimes perceived as intentionally limiting or infringing on those freedoms. COVID-19 mask mandates and closures are often cited as examples of this.
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This is especially important if you are meeting with people who are more socially and politically conservative than you are, and you use language that they consider to be progressive. For example, the changing understanding of gender identity and use of pronouns is more familiar and accepted in some places than in others.
The same holds true if you are less comfortable using progressive language, or are nervous about saying the “wrong thing.”
This is not to say you should avoid language that aligns with your values and the world you are working to create; rather, listen first and try to stay curious about where your values overlap with theirs, then find language representative of those shared values and use terms that are comfortable for both of you. Name the places where you are uncertain and still learning.
TIPIf you have an opportunity to share a consideration for why someone may want to use a different word, only do so if you’re confident you can offer this information in a friendly and nonpolarizing way.
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This can heighten party loyalty, motivating people to stick closely to party positions, even if they personally disagree.
Remember that elected officials touch hundreds of issues. State electeds acknowledge the challenge of staying well-versed on every issue; sometimes they feel talked down to by what they perceive as highly-educated and worldly advocates.
TIPSlow down, avoid jargon and pause to listen for understanding before you layer in more data.
Conservative decision-makers want to help children and they can be key allies for advocates in this overarching goal. Approach conversations with a commitment to find shared humanity. “I’m grateful to be here” can be a welcome opener.
Be as transparent as possible — give the sources of your data and share all information. Recognize that both parties in the conversation have some expertise; take care not to come across as lecturing or assuming the other person’s ignorance.
Respect the desire for a two-way conversation. Signal that you want to learn as well as share information that you have, before getting into "the ask." If time allows, you might ask, “What are you seeing in your district? What do you think could move the needle on this?” Then connect their input back to your priorities.