Scroll down for the full infographic.

Unfortunately, being right about something isn't enough.

Convincing or compelling people to do something is very challenging. Politicians make this particularly difficult. They have to tow the party line, and they're reluctant to admit fault if it would put them at risk of losing the next election.

Social media has changed the world as a communication device.

However, when it gets pushback, it's often because of how ugly the communication can get. Every word ever spoken or written, regardless of how poorly expressed, is valuable feedback.

At the very least, it measures the extent of discontent. At the very best, it leads directly to finding solutions. However, ugly or sloppy communication is a gift to those you are trying to challenge. It is an opportunity for them to dismiss or ignore our feedback.

We can be completely right and completely ineffective at the same time.

If we really want to be a part of change we need to try to make our communication more effective. Rants are great for venting. They aren't highly effective as a catalyst for change.

We don't need to be academics to communicate. But if we don't want to waste our breath, and we want to actually play a part in making things happen, we have to do our best not to get dismissed or ignored.

We have to make our feedback matter. Here are 20 basic rules of thumb that will offer an instant improvement in anyone's ability to influence change.

Why does more effective communication matter?

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality where I live is currently becoming increasingly politically active. Ranking just 10th from the bottom of over 400 communities in all of Canada, our economic indicators are painting a picture of a dying island. We cannot grow if we lose as many as 1,000 people a year to death or outmigration without replacement.

This puts us in a time where our mayor (Cecil Clarke) needs a hail mary pass to avert disaster for his political career. Likewise, our provincial government is at serious risk of losing their majority, taking two formerly very popular MLAs (Mombourquette, MacLellan) down with the ship.

Thanks to the many years of commitment by the NSEF group, Equalization fairness has surged to the forefront of public awareness and political concern, rivalling or exceeding that of healthcare.

There are even growing demands for provincial status for Cape Breton, sparked by Senator Dan Christmas, and perpetuated by a possible new political party in the very early stages of formation (Cape Breton United).

To fully leverage the voice of the people and their passion and knowledge in the fight for our future, we must make an attempt to try to be better communicators.

We cannot make it easy for political leaders or bureaucratic administrators to dismiss or ignore us or call us "negative".

NOTE: The views expressed above are my own and do not represent lokol (goCapeBreton.com). Read more