There’s a new eco-doc out called Carbon Nation aimed at US climate sceptics – tag line “the climate change solutions movie… that doesn’t even care if you believe in climate change”. I’ve only seen the trailer, but it looks like a classic piece of green jujitsu.
For those unfamiliar with my green jujitsu concept, the idea is to avoid getting bogged down stat-trading deadlocked arguments over, say, climate sensitivity. Instead make arguments that appeal to your opponent’s outlook on life – in the same way that the martial art of jujitsu eschews the boxing approach of trying to bludgeon the opponent into submission, in favour of using their strength against them. So to US Tea Party types, the appeal of the new movie is to values like patriotism, quality of life, national security and energy security rather than ‘save the polar bear’-type egalitarianism.
The same approach can be used to appeal to the sceptics, cynics and not-interesteds in individual organisations. You have to rein in your ego and think about what appeals to them – cost savings, new business, brand protection, recruitment and retention or risk reduction? Press those buttons instead. Life will be easier for all parties!