< Three Imperatives for a Better Future

The Opportunity

In the dozens of conversations RuraLead had about rural leadership, a common theme is that people do not identify with the word “leader.” They are someone with an idea, an interest, or who had no other option but to take action. Many do not associate themselves with leadership because standard notions of hierarchical power (for example, holding political office or having family wealth) do not lend themselves to the familial, relationship-centric style of local leadership. 

“I think sometimes when you use that word, “leadership,” it puts up a blockade. I don’t want to be a leader, but I do want to help my community.”
– Jacqueline Gottlieb, Hinton Rural Life Center

Typical notions of leadership suggest one person is “in charge.” In reality, rural communities often have a group of people who share a vision and responsibilities for making a place stronger, more equitable, and/or more resilient. Community or collective leadership is a predominant form of leadership in successful rural and Indigenous nations and communities. 

Despite lower populations in rural communities, there is always untapped talent. Rural leaders and organizations stress the ongoing need to bring new, diverse leaders to the table. 

“One of the things that we found and saw over and over again in RuraLead was that remarkable people don’t consider themselves leaders. They get incredible work done, they make all kinds of change happen, but they don’t consider themselves leaders. So in order to help folks get the additional training, the additional support, the additional networks that they may need to do even better work, we have to think hard about ways of recruiting them, and identifying them to help them feel a part of strong rural leadership development work. The other thing that we need to pay a lot of attention to as the people who are less visible by the dominant populations. Native communities are doing incredible work and are often unseen by their neighbors.”
– Julie Mooney, MDC

Further, leadership work can be very isolating in rural communities. RuraLead heard from many rural leaders and leadership development practitioners about the importance of dedicated spaces for peer learning and connection – both within and across rural communities. 

Solutions

Redefine leadership. Leaders are anyone in a community who takes on formal or informal responsibilities to improve life for others. There are multiple pathways toward rural leadership: its development can occur via formal leadership training programs, community organizing training, mentorship, advocacy groups, grassroots organizing efforts, and more.

Engage and encourage new leaders. Invitation and affirmation go a long way in helping emerging rural leaders develop and recognize their potential. Rural leadership often starts informally, but needs nurture and cultivation. In particular, mentoring and engaging youth is essential to building a leadership pipeline in rural communities.

Center inclusive practices. Since rural communities have inherently fewer people, the development of new leaders must be intentional, inclusive, and sustained. A key to helping rural places thrive is to develop a critical mass of local people who hold a vision for a better future, who are inclusive of all people and ideas within a community, and who are ready to take action. One good leader makes a big difference, but to have many leaders working together is to bring hope and change into a struggling community. Human, social, and intellectual capital matter in rural leadership. 

Rural leadership development efforts can bring together leaders from the community as well as peers from other communities or regions. These efforts can help local leaders identify objectives that will help a community thrive. They work with leaders to design and adapt strategies to meet a community’s goals. They can offer a venue for sharing ideas, collaboration, and for general support. Through such efforts, communities have a far greater chance at reaching goals, whether centered around attracting capital, closing health gaps, and/or implementing innovative solutions. 

“In a rural community you have to be able to talk to everybody about what you want to do in a way that they can hear… 

The kind of work we’re helping people do cannot be done by one person or one organization. It’s absolutely about partnership building.” – Rebecca Huenink, Director of Capacity Building, Center on Rural Innovation