top of the tree

Every day, the actions we take begin as decisions. Before we can do something, we have to decide to do it. These days it feels like someone else makes the decision for us. Actions are the result of the choices people in power make. Organizations and coalitions are full of people with their own ideas and perspectives. Actions happen because of the decisions they make—but those don't always come easy.In most places, there's an instinct to grab for the low-hanging fruit. People also call this choice "moving the needle" or "getting a quick win." But often these are actions that someone thinks is doable in the current conditions. They're ideas that are popular (if absent details) or will meet little resistance. Or these actions may be nothing more than what people in power want to do (or feel they should do).Action is often the reason that people join coalitions in the first place. We can pool our resources and connections when we work together. We can elect new decision-makers into…