I have been asked what makes the difference in communities that are making progress and those that aren't. The answer is simple and difficult at the same time. The answer is leadership. Nothing happens unless people take up the challenge and act. This action may be convening others and leading them in discussion of community issues. But then following the discussion, there must be assigments of follow up and a committment to ACT.
The first person whom you need to lead is yourself. Lead yourself to that phone call to another person or to attend a meeting. And then take action on the issue. There are certainly enough issues at the local level to address. Nothing happens unless people take action.
Winning Communities helps people define what the issues are and then encourages action to achieve success. We believe that people who have a positive outlook are the ones who in fact do achieve. A positive self expectancy is a must in community development. And leaders have this attitude. They believe that things can and must be better in a world of change.
As one who has followed football for years, I like to ask who is the most important person on a football team. My answer is not the good looking quarterback or the dynamic coach or the loyal fans. Those people are all needed for succes, but I believe that the answer is the CENTER. Yes, that behemoth who is on the line because nothing happens until he puts the ball into ACTION. He starts is all.
Why don't you be that person who puts the ball into play! Be that leader!