Be a Leader in your Community
Often when I have discussed McLeod For Tomorrow’s leadership program, people assume that a requirement for this program is a certain kind of job, career goal, or level of influence in life or work. I think this is a bit of a misconception about what it really means to be a leader and how to be a leader in your community.
Leadership is an Action
You can be a leader in your community by running for city council, but you can also be a leader by welcoming the new family who moved into town. The actions you take say more about you as a leader than any job title ever will. For example, have you ever met a manager who was an ineffective leader? Their title meant they supervised others, however; their actions failed to lead the team.
Leadership is not just the act of supervising employees or running a government agency. Rather, it is the act of influencing others, something we encounter regularly in our day to day lives. — Meg Schlueter, 2021
Leadership development is important for individual’s looking to gain connections in the community, learn new skills, and find new ways to be involved. A lot of the people who attend our program each year are not in supervisory roles. This is because the skills gained in the leadership program go deeper than just their role type. They can help any individual in any role.
How to Apply Leadership Skills to the Community
Think about people who truly influence the town where you live. I would bring up John, who used to own Cactus Jacks in Stewart. He now founded Food For Kidz, a non-profit run out of the old McLeod West School building. Never have I heard someone utter a negative word about John.
Leaders who mow lawns for others as a favor. The people who clear snow from driveways without payment on the snowiest days. Kathy, who would deliver extra produce from her garden or scraps for my dog. Even my neighbors who allowed my kids to come see their pets or use their yards anytime.
Leadership development is important for individual’s looking to gain connections in the community, learn new skills, and find new ways to be involved. This is because the skills gained in the leadership program go deeper than just their role type. They can help any individual in any role.
You see, the world does not become a better place by only big steps. The world becomes a better place when community members work together by doing what they can for the community.
