2 weeks Ago
As Tuesday's election approaches, our country faces deepening divides — across politics, generations and communities. While national conversations focus on polarization, a quieter movement is taking place at the local level. Community Leadership Programs have been cultivating leaders capable of bridging differences and fostering inclusive dialogue, skills that are increasingly crucial in today’s fractured landscape.
With over 1,000 organizations nationwide, CLPs annually educate more than 25,000 leaders. These programs foster a deep understanding of regional challenges, equipping cross-sector leaders to drive meaningful change. As former directors of community leadership organizations in Tulsa, Cleveland and Seattle, we’ve seen how these programs help unite communities — at a time when this work has never been more vital.
CLPs nurture informed and diverse leaders who are deeply invested in their communities. As cities face polarized populations, generational poverty and systemic inequities, the need for leaders who can navigate these challenges is more critical than ever. People are also reading.
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When leaders actively listen and learn from one another, they create environments where everyone can thrive. CLPs are essential for tackling today’s complex challenges, from bridging divides to fostering constructive dialogue. Over the years, we’ve identified core leadership principles that endure, even as society evolves.
Here are five key lessons we’ve learned: • Relationships matter: Building relationships is foundational to driving change. As the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wisely said, “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” • Relationships across differences matter: Effective leadership requires coming together across divides — whether sectoral, generational, racial or geographic.
Building relationships with those different from ourselves helps us understand perspectives shaped by unique life experiences and fosters collaboration. • Curiosity and humility matter : The best leaders approach dialogue with curiosity and a willingness to learn. They know they don’t have all the answers and value multiple perspectives.
• Listening Matters: Listening — especially when we disagree — is critical. As the saying goes, “If you disagree with someone, listen harder.” You may find common ground that transcends the issue at hand.
• Community stewardship matters: Leadership is about service, driven by a commitment to others’ well-being. Purpose-driven leadership sustains leaders through tough moments and creates lasting positive change in communities. The leadership landscape has changed significantly over the last 40 years.
Today, five generations work together, navigating a post-pandemic world that has reshaped our relationship with work, technology, and each other. The skills required for success have evolved, with a growing emphasis on inclusive prosperity and belonging, especially for historically marginalized groups. Yet, certain values remain constant: the search for purpose, the drive to contribute positively to society and the need for community.
Bridging divides remains essential and is still a cornerstone of effective leadership. At a time when despair often overshadows hope, community leadership organizations attract individuals who see possibilities. These leaders believe in the power of collective action and are willing to take risks, listen deeply, adapt, and recommit to their communities with courage, curiosity, and compassion.
As our nation prepares to navigate another pivotal election, the lessons from community leadership programs offer a hopeful model for how we can move forward together..
