How to Advocate for a reasonable resolution

You’ve taken the time to understand what happened. You’ve slowed down, applied the layer method having check what rules and laws apply, you understand their application in the real world, you have gathered all the information that matters and you are ready for next steps. You’re no longer reacting, you’re seeing the system clearly. Now comes the part where most people either disengage or escalate. This is where systems literacy becomes action.

Advocating for yourself isn’t about being confrontational or pushing harder or louder. It’s about knowing how the system is supposed to work, what kinds of decisions get approvals in that specific system and identifying where something may have gone wrong. Then you can respond with clarity and hopefully in a more precise manner. Because when you understand the system, you don’t need to fight it, you just need to know how to engage with it. You can ask yourself, "What are the actual pathways to resolution, and how do I use them effectively?"

Because systems aren’t changed through force. They’re navigated through understanding. So the question becomes: How do you push back in a way that actually works?

Let's take a look at how Aaron from Social Work navigates issues on behalf of his clients. Watch the video and see if you can observe the structure and pattern he uses to convey the issues to the organization he is pushing back against. Watch for the different steps:

How does he begin the call?

What information does he confirm before discussing details?

What order does he address issues in?

Does he use foundational framework to establish cause, then effect?

What is his emotional state during these calls?

What is the resolution?

If you watch several of his videos, you will notice he follows a pattern:

1. Greets and identifies himself.

2. Identifies and confirms the file in question using file number and client information.

3. Addresses confirmed issue from credible third party. The doctor said, the surgeon said, the patient was diagnosed with X. This is the fact confirmation. 

4. What policy, procedure, rights, law or issue exists that may not have occurred, but was supposed to, and can the gap be supported by policy, procedure, rights, law or other framework for the alleged failure that  you are pushing back against?

5. What reasonable remedy are you requesting and what next steps are you willing to take to ensure your position?

Now note what he DOESN'T do. He does not:

Raise his voice

Threaten staff

Draw conclusions from information that isn't present 

Infer or imply anything about the staff or organization

Ask for things the person or organization can't do

Bring in irrelevant arguments or information

Make assumptions 

Threaten legal action or Police

Demand a solution angrily on an unrealistic timeline

Go to social media ( Aaron doesn't count, he's the exception here giving us the lessons)

Why is his approach so effective? I think you already know what to do, now it's just a matter of waiting for your next opportunity to resolve a situation from a place of calm confidence. 

Big Shout out to Aaron The Social Worker for allowing us to share his inspiring advocacy work. You can follow him here: https://linktr.ee/aaronthesocialworker