What does community leadership look like in the present era? What particular resources are necessary for community leaders to succeed?
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Seldom have human achievements of substantial worth in history been made by a single person working alone. Who would be satisfied to work alone on significant issues? There’s just too much to get done!
The majority of significant movements start and finish at the local level. This is due to the fact that very few movements can succeed without the encouragement and support of the local populace. Yet genuine change is extremely unlikely to happen in the absence of leaders who can unite these people and offer them a means of action.
Today’s community leaders need to be as broad in their emphasis as they can be without losing sight of their primary goal. Future community leaders can start developing their skills by completing these ten steps:
1. Recognize Your Local Community
Participating in the community is crucial for anybody hoping to advance as a leader. Furthermore, understanding a community is a prerequisite for anybody wishing to interact with it.
It is not necessary for people to live close to one another in order for them to form a cohesive group, despite the fact that this is how we often conceptualize community. Communities may now grow across extremely long physical distances, thanks to contemporary technologies. Numerous shared experiences, such as customs, histories, hobbies, and abilities, may create powerful bonds that unite individuals into tight-knit communities.
Being aware of the core values of the community you serve is one of your responsibilities as a community leader. In order to make well-informed judgments, it is imperative that you cultivate and uphold a comprehensive comprehension of the many environmental and social factors at work, along with all perspectives on the principal concerns impacting that community.
2. Encourage candid dialogue
Without creating and maintaining open lines of contact, it is impossible to fully comprehend the values and issues of the community. As a community leader, they are the main stakeholders you serve, and you can only properly handle issues that you completely grasp.
Asking people of the community about their favorite communication channels is a good way to start promoting community and civic involvement. By meeting people where they are and using their chosen communication method, you may develop your communication strategy on common ground. For instance, don’t send emails to those who would prefer in-person meetings.
Once channels of communication are open, you need to learn how to use them effectively to consult the community before making crucial choices and to update members of the community about essential concerns. In general, relationships and outreach within the community are more successful when there is good communication.
3. Put accountability and integrity into practice
While honesty and responsibility are vital for all kinds of leaders, community leaders especially need to uphold these principles. This is partially due to the fact that servant leadership ought to be a top priority for community leaders. The Indeed Career Guide’s golden guideline, “Aim to serve your team rather than expecting the team to serve you,” captures the essence of servant leadership in a nutshell.
Without honesty and responsibility, it is nearly difficult to provide excellent servant leadership. As a community leader, your potential is only as great as your reputation. As a result, you have to use every effort to promote and strengthen trust amongst community members and stakeholders. By being open and honest in all of your interactions and accepting accountability for your errors, you may demonstrate your own credibility as a leader.
4. Take the Empathic Lead
Your connections with community members will unavoidably become richer and deeper as a result of your interactions with them. In addition to the aforementioned advantages, this method will provide you the ability to lead with empathy.
Seeing things from another person’s perspective, or empathizing, is a very useful skill in community leadership. Empathetic leadership fosters empathy for other community members and makes leaders relatable to the people they serve. Consequently, empathy may assist you in setting a positive example for others by presenting an optimistic outlook.
5. Promote Engagement and Involvement
Because most modern societies consist of a diverse range of persons, it might be difficult to connect empathetically with them. According to Nicky Dare, “communities are diverse, ranging from neighborhoods to schools to organizations to ethnicities and so much more.” “It is critical to acknowledge the part leadership plays in directing and upholding order in every community.”
Inclusion is necessary for diversity. This entails promoting engagement and participation among all community members and making sure that all important stakeholders—including members of the underrepresented community—are present at the meeting. As a community leader, you are unlikely to succeed if you are unable to promote inclusivity and consensus.
Embracing hands-on leadership and making an effort to lead groups rather than push them is a fantastic method to achieve this. “Try to collaborate with them,” advises the Indeed Career Guide. “As the team leader, you can set an example by working long hours and learning new skills alongside your team.”