Good ideas rarely succeed on their own. In advancement organizations, meaningful change depends on how people interpret information, respond to risk, build trust, and navigate competing priorities. This session explores how decisions really get made inside institutions and how advancement professionals can increase their influence at any level of the organization. Grounded in principles from decision science, organizational behavior, and change management, attendees will learn practical strategies for communicating ideas effectively, building credibility across teams, and helping new initiatives gain traction. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants will leave with tools for becoming stronger strategic partners and more effective agents of change.