I attended my first state caucus last night. And it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Here are just a few things that I saw:

  • The faces of neighbors on my own street that I’d never before met or even seen.
  • Citizens standing up in a crowd making passionate, heartfelt testimonials about “their” candidate.
  • Political party leaders awestruck by the turnout and left scrambling for direction, extra hands and extra materials.
  • A young man who, so frustrated by the messy nature of grassroots democracy, refused to participate and left the caucus hollering about wanting “nothing to do with a system that operates like this!”

Yes, it was messy. Yes, it was confusing. But oh, man . . . was it a rush!

Here’s what it taught me or reminded me anew:

  • People rally around two things: vulnerability and opportunity. Give people both — an opportunity to no longer feel vulnerable — and look out!
  • People feel ownership of things that cannot be owned — like a candidate — if moved emotionally by them. People relate emotionally, not rationally.
  • Leaders, even when given mountains of clues, continue to underestimate the passion and motivations of their people. Every leader does it — even the best.
  • Change is messy. And we can either chose to get on board and take the ride or get off and let someone else determine our destination.

What motivates you and your people to take that ride?

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