Peng Her of The Hmong Institute shares how building relationships and finding common ground helps advocates connect with decision-makers and move policy conversations forward.

Advancing policy often requires more than strong data and compelling research. It requires listening, understanding what motivates decision-makers and finding shared values that can move conversations forward.

That’s the goal of the Finding Commonalities and Solutions with Decision-Makers training offered through Voices for Healthy Kids. The training provides advocates with tools to better understand the values and motivations of decision-makers and approach conversations in ways that build trust and open the door to productive dialogue.

Across the country, advocates are already applying these lessons in their work – preparing more strategically for meetings with lawmakers, choosing the right messengers and finding unexpected areas of agreement.

The experiences of three advocates illustrate how the training is shaping real-world advocacy.

Advocates share real-world experiences applying strategies from the Finding Commonalities and Solutions with Decision-Makers training to strengthen conversations with policymakers.

Idaho: Building trust before making the case

For May Roberts of Idaho Voices for Children, the Finding Commonalities and Solutions with Decision-Makers training helped reframe how advocacy conversations can begin.

“Many conferences focus on how to present data more persuasively or how to strengthen your numbers. This training was different; it focused on how to communicate with people you may not naturally connect with and how to start by identifying shared beliefs.”

That approach is particularly important in Idaho’s political landscape, where building trust with lawmakers can make the difference between a stalled conversation and one that moves forward.

Roberts said the training helped her recognize that advocates and lawmakers often share similar goals, even if they initially disagree about the path to reach them.

“Even when we disagree on the policy solution, we often want the same outcomes for families and communities.”

She has already applied the framework in conversations about Idaho’s child tax credit.

In one discussion with a lawmaker, what started as a disagreement about policy details turned into a deeper conversation about how income limits affect families and how support could be better targeted.

“It changed the dynamic of the conversation. Instead of talking past each other, we started working through the problem together.”

The training introduces tools like decision-maker archetypes to help advocates tailor messages based on what policymakers value most—from economic impact to community and faith.

Pennsylvania: Understanding what decision-makers care about

For Logan Welde, senior attorney at Clean Air Council in Pennsylvania, the Finding Commonalities and Solutions with Decision-Makers training helped put structure around something he had been doing instinctively for years.

Welde said the four decision-maker archetypes – church and country, economic influenced, legacy Republican and populist-aligned – introduced in the training were especially useful in preparing for meetings with lawmakers.

“It was one of those moments where everything clicked. I had been thinking about lawmakers this way intuitively, but the training gave it structure and language that helped clarify the approach.”

The archetypes helped him and his colleagues think more intentionally about how to approach different policymakers.

“Before a meeting, we’ll talk through which archetype a legislator might align with and what kinds of arguments are most likely to resonate with them. It helps us focus our message.”

That preparation has been particularly important when discussing environmental and preemption issues, which do not always resonate immediately with policymakers.

Instead of leading with environmental arguments alone, Welde said the training helped him connect issues to what lawmakers care about most.

“Some lawmakers care most about the economic impact. Others respond more to faith, tradition or community values. Once you understand what matters most to them, you can connect your issue to those priorities. We had a faith leader in our coalition who could connect with lawmakers aligned with ‘church and country’ values. Identifying the right messenger helped us build stronger bipartisan support.”

Through hands-on workshops, advocates practice identifying shared values, choosing the right messengers and preparing for more productive conversations with lawmakers.

Georgia: Reframing conversations to find shared humanity

Tatjyana Elmore of Black Child Development Institute (BCDI)–Atlanta said the training shifted how she approaches conversations with decision-makers who may not initially agree with her organization’s positions.

One lesson that stood out was the distinction between archetypes and stereotypes.

“Stereotypes reduce people to assumptions and shut down curiosity. Archetypes, on the other hand, help you better understand the motivations behind how someone thinks and makes decisions.”

Since the training, Elmore has begun applying a more intentionally non-polarizing approach in her advocacy work.

“We’re focusing more on community and shared humanity rather than framing conversations as opposing sides.”

That includes being more thoughtful about language and identifying the emotions behind a decision-maker’s perspective.

“Instead of blaming language, we try to express feelings and understand the concerns behind a policymaker’s statements. That shift helps create connection rather than defensiveness.”

For Elmore, the training reinforced the importance of focusing on shared values.

“Even when we disagree about the government’s role, we can still connect around values like freedom, opportunity, and hope for families.”

Advocates across states—from Idaho to Pennsylvania to Georgia—are applying strategies from the Finding Commonalities and Solutions with Decision-Makers training to build trust, reframe conversations and find common ground with decision-makers.

A practical tool for today’s policy environment

The experiences of these advocates show how the Finding Commonalities and Solutions with Decision-Makers training helps advocates navigate an increasingly complex policy environment.

By encouraging deeper listening, more strategic messaging and stronger relationship-building, the training equips advocates with tools to engage policymakers across the political spectrum.

“This training is a reminder that policy change doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens through people and relationships,” said Peng Her, CEO of The Hmong Institute and Voices for Healthy Kids Steering Committee member. “Funding opportunities like this, especially in person, equips advocates with the tools and confidence to connect, find common ground and turn conversations into progress.”