Self deception in campaigning and lobbying

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Over 30 odd years, I’ve come across some beliefs common to both NGOs and industry that are self-deception.
Self-deception in campaigning and lobbying is common. It tends to guarantee that you will fail.
I’ve listed some of them below.
  1. “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool” Richard Feynman.
  2. You think that the decision-makers are equally passionate about the thing that you are obessed about.
  3. You think the whole world is waiting with baited breath about your position about the thing.
  4. The consensus position of your small group is held by the majority of decision-makers.
  5. Thinking that the person you are dealing with does not actually know a lot about your issue.
  6. The piece of evidence that you hope people will not ask for, is not asked for.
  7. The words coming out of your mouth mean anything to your audience.
  8. You think you are too big too fail. Things will stop until you are ready to turn up.
  9. Your political allies will solve the issue. It matters not that they have never succeeded before.
  10. Just because you say no, things will stop.
  11. Policy/Law making is like a Turkish baazar and you can haggle.
  12. Your contribution is too important. They’ll wait for me.
  13. Think that correlation is identifical to causation.
  14. Intimidation is an effective tool of persuasion.
  15. “Our science” will turn things around.
  16. A political father Christmas will solve everything for you.
  17. Your leadership are so impressive/persuasive, that they alone will move political mountains.
  18. Prepararation and rehearsal is for neewbies.
  19. Just one more PowerPoint is all that is needed.
  20. Real decision makers read your policy fetish journal of record.
  21. Your government supports you.
  22. You don’t need to put your position and supporting evidence down on paper. You can communicate via telepathy.
  23. A marginal/ostracised political group/Member States will solve the problem for me.
  24. Going to the European Court is a guarantee of victory.
  25. It does not matter if I turn up late, people will walk back on the agreeement they reached months ago.
  26. Evidence is for wimps. My word is good enough.
  27. Internal meetings are the best way to engage.
  28. The rules that work in DC, Paris, London, or Berlin, will work in Brussels.
  29. Your believe someone when they say they’ll speak up on your behalf in the Committee/debate.
  30. Decisions are made at the last moment. That’s when I need to step in.
  31. This the silver bullet to turn things around.
  32. Social media will turn things around.

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