How to transform autocracy to democracy: Build teams

Looking at the history of nonviolent campaigns we often presume a charismatic leader is enough; once we have our golden guy it's a done deal. There are two problems with that assumption. 

One, some of the most successful takedown campaigns in history have no charismatic leader. 

Two, a charismatic leader is not an expert at everything; there must be experts leading the necessary work teams in order to accelerate the pace of gain and move it swiftly to victory. Assessing is crucial and assessing about who is expert enough to assess is the work before the work. Identify team leaders: 

·       adaptive management, that is, evaluating steps taken and adjusting to improve next steps

·       logistics--event planners, team support and care

·       finances and fundraising, keeping the organization "street legal"

·       media--develop contacts and strategies, when to broadcast, when to narrowcast, how to incentivize best coverage

·       legal--organize both civil (lawsuit) and criminal (defending nonviolent resisters, develop stable of both lawyers and germane expert witnesses

Develop teams as needed and do not miss out on expertise that sometimes is modest and not visible. Inquire, negotiate, and coordinate. Teams can both bond--almost become foxhole buddies--and bridge--connect between and amongst teams. New campaign members can self-direct toward an existing team or be recruited once a skill-set inventory mechanism indicates valued expertise.