Leadership in a Divided Nation: Lessons from Three Decades of Community Leadership
Photo by Leadership Tulsa
As the 2024 election approaches, our country faces unprecedented divides—across politics, generations, and communities. While national conversations often focus on polarization and discord, a quieter but equally powerful movement has been taking place at the local level. Community Leadership Programs (CLPs) have been cultivating leaders capable of bridging differences and fostering inclusive dialogue in ways that our political systems increasingly struggle to do.
With over 1,000 organizations across the country, CLPs annually educate more than 25,000 leaders through their signature programs. 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 firsthand how this work has helped bring communities together—at a time when that work has never been more vital.
Why Community Leadership Programs Matter
CLPs have a unique ability to nurture inspired, informed, and diverse leaders who are deeply invested in their communities. As cities and towns across the country face the complexities of polarized populations, generational poverty, and systemic inequities, the need for leaders who can navigate these challenges has never been more critical.
The power of bringing together diverse, motivated individuals is profound. When community leaders actively listen and learn from one another, they strengthen both their individual and collective abilities to create environments where everyone can thrive. More than ever, CLPs are in a position to bridge divides and foster dialogue, making them essential for tackling the complex challenges of our time.
Lessons from 40+ Years in Community Leadership
Our collective decades of experience in leading these programs have revealed core leadership principles that endure, even as the landscape shifts. Here are five key lessons we’ve learned:
Relationships Matter: Building relationships is foundational to driving change and tackling difficult challenges. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg wisely said, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
Relationships Across Differences Matter: Effective leadership involves coming together across divides—whether they be sectoral, generational, racial, or geographic. Relationships allow leaders to understand perspectives shaped by unique life experiences and cultures, laying the foundation for trust and collaboration.
Curiosity and Humility Matter: Approaching dialogue with a desire to learn and considering multiple perspectives fosters deeper understanding. The best leaders recognize that they don’t have all the answers; they appreciate how much they don’t know.
Listening Matters: One of the most critical skills is listening—especially when we disagree. As one of our favorite leadership adages goes: “If you disagree with someone, listen harder.” You might just find common ground that transcends the issue at hand.
Community Stewardship Matters: Leadership is ultimately about service—driven by a commitment to others’ well-being. Purpose-driven leadership not only guides us through tough moments but also helps create lasting, positive change in the communities we serve.
A Changing Landscape, Constant Values
Over the last 40 years, the landscape of leadership has evolved dramatically. 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 changed, with greater emphasis on building inclusive prosperity and belonging, especially for those who have been historically marginalized.
Yet amid these changes, certain things remain constant: the search for purpose and meaning in both work and life, the drive to contribute positively to society, and the fundamental need for community. Bridging divides across differences has always been essential, and it remains a cornerstone of effective leadership today.
Looking to the Future
At a time when despair often overshadows hope, community leadership organizations attract individuals who see possibilities and opportunities. 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.
How You Can Get Involved
To connect with community leadership programs and join this transformative movement, explore the following resources:
Together, we can create a more inclusive and engaged society where everyone thrives.
Sue Bennett, Executive Director of 10 years, Leadership Tomorrow – Seattle, Washington
Marianne Crosley, Executive Director of 14 years, Cleveland Leadership Center – Cleveland, Ohio
Wendy Thomas, Executive Director of 21 years of Leadership Tulsa – Tulsa, Oklahoma