Election day is such an important moment in the political process, it’s easy to feel like that’s the only time when most people get to have their say. However, while participation in elections or political referendums is important, it’s not the only chance the average person has to make themselves heard, whether on a political or social level.

In a new piece posted to LinkedIn, bestselling author and business expert Dr. John Izzo, writes about rethinking our perspective on voting. As he puts it, too often we focus on the moment when we vote and then check out after that. He argues that real change can only happen when we stay engaged, drawing parallels to his book Stepping Up (soon to be re-released in a second edition) where he wrote about people who “step up” every day to change things—as much in the places they work as the communities they live in.

One example John points to is what some people call “voting with your wallet,” which is to say: literally impacting the influence corporations have in our lives by choosing to buy their products or services. As he puts it:

“Companies have a big impact on society and on government policy. As consumers, we vote every day by buying products from companies we believe in, and withholding business from those we don’t, and by promoting companies that do the right thing, with good social media support.”

That kind of awareness and follow through is applicable just the same to politicians, John writes.

“Another way we can vote every day is by staying engaged with leaders after the election. This means having a viewpoint then finding an ally or two and making your voice heard.”

So, remember that there are many ways to vote, even when you’re not casting a ballot.

Dr. John Izzo helps companies maximize their potential from the ground up. For over 20 years, Dr. Izzo has worked with thousands of leaders around the world, on employee-engagement strategies and brand transformations. He has been a pioneer in employee engagement, leading change, shifting employee and consumer values and corporate social responsibility, and is known for his hard-hitting practical content, his inspirational storytelling and the lasting impact he has on organizations.

If you’re interested in booking John or another speaker for a virtual presentation, please contact us for more information.