10 Lessons for Stronger Movements

Our real opponents are the billionaires, the war profiteers, and the politicians in both parties bought by corporate money—not the few imperfect allies we have in power, and not the ordinary people who vote or think differently from us. 

Here are 10 lessons to help us stay focused, build power, and fight like we want to win.

1. Imperfect Allies Aren’t Enemies
   We ourselves are not perfect allies. No one is. Stop treating every disagreement as a betrayal—real opposition comes from the corporate-owned politicians in both parties, not those fighting alongside us.
2. Critique to Build, Not Tear Down
   Criticism should strengthen movements, not divide them. We can critique allies while still respecting and appreciating their larger contributions to the movement. If it doesn’t move us forward, it’s just fueling infighting.
3. Organize, Don’t Just Argue
   Social media outrage doesn’t threaten power—mass movements do. Energy spent fighting online is energy not spent building real change.
4. Movements Win, Not Individuals
   Political victories come from collective power, not ideological purity. We don’t need saints—we need an organized, disciplined movement.
5. Perfection is the Enemy of Progress
   Waiting for the perfect leader, perfect plan, or perfect conditions ensures nothing ever happens. Change comes from action, not unattainable ideals.
6. Ego Kills Movements
   Prioritizing personal status, ideological superiority, or being “right” over winning collective battles is a fast track to irrelevance.
7. Play the Long Game
   The right builds institutions, funds media, and plays for decades. The left must think beyond the next election cycle and invest in long-term power.
8. Meet People Where They Are
   If we expect to persuade, we have to speak in language people understand—not lecture them on theory before they even know why it matters. Effective communication reaches beyond activists.
9. Power Doesn’t Care About Feelings
   The ruling class doesn’t care if you're morally outraged—it only cares if you're organized enough to challenge its control.
10. Division is a Weapon, Don't Play Along
    The ruling class doesn’t need to destroy the left when we do it ourselves. Recognize how media, state forces, and bad-faith actors sow division—and refuse to play along.

Bonus, secret 11th lesson, in 3 parts: 

Don’t Self-Marginalize

1. Power Isn’t Dirty – Rejecting all institutions as corrupt only ensures the left has no influence. Real change happens from both inside and outside the system.
2. Build Bridges, Not Walls – Dismissing potential allies because they aren’t perfectly aligned weakens movements. Broad coalitions win; ideological purity tests lose. Trashing third party voters is as counter-productive as trashing Democrat or Republican voters. There are at least 80 million non-voters in America we should aim to win with good strategy and good policies.
3. Use Every Tool Available – The right dominates media, law, and local politics because they play the game. The left can’t afford to sit out—it has to compete. The far right organizes to take power regardless of how corrupt the system currently is.

Tim Hjersted is the director and co-founder of Films For Action, an online library for people who want to change the world. He lives in Lawrence, KS.