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I have the pleasure of working with Texas Rural Innovators Forum, a nonprofit statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the overall economic wellbeing and quality of life in the rural areas of Texas.
After a recent planning session, a group of participants representing a cross section of both public and private rural-focused organizations were discussing rural economic development and community building.
The senior member of the group, who has years of experience with rural issues, made the statement that the primary problem with most communities is a lack of leadership. For example, elected officials often run as a one-issue candidate and, when elected, often lack the vision, knowledge, and leadership skills necessary to address the many complex issues facing the community.
Another person in the group, also with many years of experience, termed these types of officials “blockheads.” A great description, what more can I say?
Another commented that just because someone wins an election doesn’t make them an expert in community development, but they often think they are.
The remainder of the conversation followed along the same lines.
On the drive back from Austin, I began to think more about the group conversation and came to the following conclusions.
First, not all community leaders are elected officials. Often they are ministers, teachers, business owners, parents, or just concerned citizens. In other words, community leaders can come from anywhere in the community.
Second, maybe the motivation to become a leader can’t be taught, but the necessary leadership skills can be.
In addition, the knowledge to build economically solid and very livable communities can also be taught.
Finally, the community leader must be self-motivated to acquire the necessary leadership skills and knowledge. No one can do it for them. If they are not willing to learn, they are not leaders.
A 20-year study of successful, economically growing communities conducted by the Heartland Center for Leadership Development confirms the essence of my conclusions. Successful communities deliberately and systematically seek and encourage the development of new community leaders.
Community youth and young adults are especially targeted. The future of any community lies with having a steady stream of motivated community leaders entering the leadership pipeline.
It’s not enough to find new community leader; they must be equipped with the skills and knowledge of leadership. Successful communities constantly provide leadership education to both new and existing leaders.
There are many fully developed leadership training programs available for community use. All a community needs to do is select the one that best fits the needs of the community and implement it.
Finally, successful communities realize that for a community to prosper, individual potential leaders must be motivated to take action. It’s great for a community to identify and offer training to potential community leaders, but in the long run, the individual community member must take the responsibility for exerting the effort to become a leader.
They must willingly accept leadership roles and take the time and expend the effort to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. Everyone is busy with everyday life, but this is no excuse.
Concerned citizens can no longer wait for someone else to take leadership responsibility, they must do it.
The more I think about it, the more I feel that my conclusions are valid. Therefore, concerned communities should start addressing the need for developing community leaders.
I started this article by mentioning the Texas Rural Innovators Forum (http://www.ruraltx.org/) and I will end by describing how the organization can help build community leaders.
Rural Innovators provides forums every six to eight weeks (usually in Bastrop) where experts in community development from all over the United States share their expertise and ideas with all who are interested. These forums provide the specialized knowledge and innovative ideas that community leaders need to build their communities.
Several folks from the Victoria area regularly attend. Check the Web site for the next forum and come join us.
David Summers is an associate professor of management at the University of Houston-Victoria. He can be contacted at summersd@uhv.edu.