We were lucky to catch up with Raimondo Graziano recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Raimondo, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?

I greatly admire two individuals really; they really help in centering my understanding of my own political compass and understanding ideas of service and loyalty to a higher ideal. Both Roosevelts, Franklin and Theodore, Democrat and Republican respectively had a sense of duty to their country and to their people that rose above partisan divides. They served a higher ideal and in their service in government moved legislation that profoundly changed this nation and provided an example of leadership for the country that we so seldom see today. In this moment of great division for our nation, and a moment of tense unease across the world, their guiding principles help to light a way for those that desire to rise above the fray, and the noise. Focus and pointed attention and discipline aimed at helping others, keeping your eye on the objective that lies before you. These are some lessons I have taken from two truly extraordinary individuals in American history.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Well, it is an interesting confluence of events that has brought me to where I am today. When I was younger, I knew that I wanted to work for others, in service to others — my community, country, etc. However, the road to that vague idea of service involves many steps and changes in direction based on circumstances. For a period of time there was indirection in where I wanted to begin and how exactly to get started. Before I could step into the role of what I aspired to, I first needed to introduce discipline and direction into a sometimes-rudderless course. The greatest adversary to accomplishing one’s own aims is firstly yourself, and secondly indecision and lack of clarity in purpose. By introducing a degree of rigidity, discipline and a more defined objective – the path ahead made itself clear. However, I should note that even in indirection, there was always a vision and holding to that idea, lead me to places and opportunities that while not directly aligned with the work of community activism, organizing or service – taught me lessons, and skills that have aided me immeasurably in achieving my objectives.

Where I personally see as my beginning into the world of organizing, community activism, and service was at a non-profit organization in Brooklyn, New York that operated throughout the City with the aim of serving underserved communities with a number of services from housing to employment to direct support and advocating for the basic rights of New Yorkers. Fair housing, equal treatment, good paying jobs, and services aimed at aiding the un-housed among other things. The people I had the privilege of working with were immensely dedicated people – both to their ideals and to the people they served. Here I learned of service to others deeply, and how I could leverage my ability to convey a message to get others involved in the work we were doing on the ground. From direct services to direct actions to advocate for issues, voter registration, fundraising, building structures and eventually managing my own team and pointing our aims acutely in the direction of organization wide objectives – the lessons learned and challenges, and triumphs were perhaps the greatest period of professional development in the shortest period of time, I have thus far experienced comparably to only one other major event which happened not so long after this. It was as if I was put on a fast track, and I took it all with stride and determination. I loved every moment of it. Speaking professionally, I now work for the greater national organization whom we were an affiliate of it undertaking a leadership role in expanding their national outreach program.

What I learned here, and what I continue to learn today has informed me and in large part contributed to perhaps the second great leap in my capacity for service. as well as extraordinarily paced accumulation of knowledge and opportunity My choice to run for City Council in the 32nd District in New York City. I’ll be honest, there is a great deal to unpack here about this run for office and all that came along with it. A real great deal to digest. I have not fully had the time myself to sit down and take an inventory. Of course, I have reflected, but not to my own liking. What I can say is that it was an extraordinary learning experience, and the challenges I faced – from within my own campaign, and to the challenges posed by others – not one moment was spent not learning, or not growing, and expanding my knowledge. While I did not make it to the ballot, it did not matter, I got involved and I continue to stay involved. Not every loss, is a loss. Often, a loss can be an immense strategic advantage, it depends on circumstance, outlook, and allocation of resources – and sometimes those resources cannot be held in one’s hand or commodified, sometimes they are as simple as time, attention, and disposition toward others. One thing that I believe has remained constant throughout all my work, is that having a respect for others is an asset. Not concerning yourself with gossip is an asset. Making yourself useful and indispensable is an asset. My one piece of advice for any younger person looking to get involved, is to simply run for office. It will force you to know the core interests, groups and concerns of your district within a very short window of time. Of course, do your research and prepare before an official announcement! One more quick note as well; you need to set objectives not goals, but objectives. Goals are suggestions, they are vague even if their intention is clarity. Objectives evoke a stronger more defined feeling, and that intention is just as important as the objective itself. Objectives are concrete, unwavering, they must be achieved. Some may say it’s simply semantics, but in politics, government and in service to your community, choosing your words carefully is an art.

Life takes us on many paths, and you may feel that you are not reaching your aims or objectives in life. You have to start with a vision, an idea larger than yourself that guide you even in your darkest moments, or through your greatest trials. It will serve as the lone sail on an otherwise bruised, battered and tired-rudderless ship. When you can finally dock at port and take stock of what it is you need to build upon to construct a solid foundation, then you can repair your masts, and prepare to set sail once more. Sometimes you have to stop, before you can start. As long as you remain constant in your principles and build diligence into your daily life with clearly defined objectives you will make the right moves to advance your capacity to be of service to others.

Any advice for managing a team?

An excellent question. The challenges of managing a team and maintaining high morale both in person and remotely are two very distinctive ones, I have done so in both cases. It is a fine needle to thread. Above all, value each and every member of your team because without them accomplishing your objectives can become increasingly difficult, if not impossible. Advocate for your team whether that be through addressing their concerns or for pushing for raises – hearing their concerns, being transparent and going above your position to strengthen your crew will ensure they are productive and dedicated to the fights and challenges you face. You treat them with respect and as equals, and you will gain their trust and respect in turn. At the end of the day when you are in a leadership capacity, exercising your authority need to be heavy handed, dictatorial or demeaning – you have been chosen for leadership to firstly lead from behind, and from out front when the time arises, you have been chosen for leadership to set an example for your team. That means you have to work harder, so your team can work smarter; you provide the vision and point the way towards its execution. Though as long as you remain attentive, open to critiques, and involve them in decision making they will feel heard, respected and appreciated. Saying thank you for your work, goes a great distance too. Buying them coffee when you can is also a nice gesture, it definitely won’t hinder your efforts.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One moment that comes to mind is the choices that I made directly upon entering college. It was a period of profound change, and reflecting back to a previous question, a profound sense of indirection, no rudder to direct the course. At times I was despondent, and I during this time was going through a great deal that was weighing on me heavily, and greatly incapacitating my ability to execute on plans laid. Much fell through during this period. Lofty aims I had slipped away from me, my mind was addled by thoughts of doubt, I left college after only a semester with no real prospects, and in all I was moored at sea. There was no reprieve in sight, I was in profound crisis. How did I come back from this? How today, a mere five years later, can I say that I have graduated with my Associates Degree and am now pursuing my Bachelors in Government and Politics with a Minor in Public Policy? How today can I say that I have now worked with two major Non-Profits, one local and one national, on some of the most pressing policy questions are country is facing, in both cases, in a significant leadership capacity? How today can I say that I have not only run for office but in my loss have gained more than I could have conceived – from being an active member in my community, in my local political party, community board amongst other immeasurable opportunities? How today can I say that I have the privilege of knowing and working alongside some of the most knowledgeable and adept individuals in my field – from elected representatives, to lawyers, consultants, activists, business owners and giants of my community? How did I turn this insurmountable position into a firm and steadfast foundation upon which I have begun to build a solid career, all while still under 25? The answer may disappoint you. Faith and an unbreakable, unwavering belief in my vision for my life, and an unshakable belief in myself. Through sheer will, I have persevered because I refuse to accept defeat or loss. I will stop at nothing to see my objectives met. For anyone that stands in the way of that, I’d advise you to step to the side. This mentality will lift you up in your lowest moments, you must become content with accepting that you will never accept defeat, and that you will always work for your successes, never expecting anything, and never being entitled to anything. Everything worth having is worth sweating and toiling for. If you are a religious person, faith in a higher power is a tremendous weapon at your disposal as well. For myself, that aspect is profoundly personal, but this too played a significant role in building my resilience and dealing with my crisis head-on.

Contact Info:

• Website: raimondograziano.com (Currently undergoing edits, and changes)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mr.raimondo.graziano/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raimondograziano/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rai_Graziano
• Other: In the coming months, I will be launching a rebranding of my podcast which will be focused on politics and government locally in NYC,NYS and the country. It will be found at raimondograziano.com, my personal site which is currently undergoing some edits.