An integral part of a leader’s identity is the community (or communities) they surround themselves with. A community is a space where one can learn social skills, culture, values, and sense of identity. It would make sense that suitable leaders for a certain community would have to either come from that community or be well adjusted within it in order to properly make positive changes in it. However, it’s hard for a leader to be an effective role model when they don’t have an understanding of the skills and attitudes valued within the specific community of people they are tasked to lead. How do we remedy this?
First, the leader must consider what makes the gears turn within said community. What commonalities are the people of the community bonded over? What skills, attitudes, and ideals do they embody? Being an effective leader consists of empathizing with one’s community and recognizing the dignity within the people of said community. Be open-minded, realize that your character is not to be idolized as a “leader” but instead should be a resource to the people or an embodiment of what’s most important to your community.
Second, the leader must encourage the community to be successful in its own way. Trying to emulate the success of an entirely different community with differing values won’t get you anywhere. Everybody brings different skills and knowledge to the table. An effective leader uses what each community member has to offer to help build and push the community towards the success of their own making.
Finally, the leader must inspire an environment within the community to ensure their success is sustainable. Leaders can do this by expressing how much each community member is appreciated and vital to their team. They can create a space where each community member feels safe and understood in their position. Sustainable success within a community is entirely dependent on the safe space it provides for the community members, upheld by the leader.
When leaders immerse themselves in deep understandings of a community’s values, skills, and ideals, they’ll be better equipped to guide the community towards the type of success that’s best suited for them—a success of their own that they can take pride in and effectively sustain through whatever obstacle is in their way.
