Most American
cities want to be known as a great city to visit, a place of distinction and
designation. But in reality, great neighborhoods are the building blocks of great
cities, the cornerstone of economic growth and the vanguard for positive
change. When you have strong neighborhoods, everyone wants to move there,
everyone wants to do business there and everyone wants to stay there.
Developing, building and maintaining great
neighborhoods are quiet an undertaking. This is a task that is easier said than
done, ideal in concept and vision, but may not be realistic due to cultural
differences, policy, socioeconomic, demographics, and historical legacy. It is
even more challenging when cities and communities go through periods of
unintended downturns in the economy, high unemployment, political turnover,
changing demographics, waves of crime and age. However, the desire to go from
“good to great” can occur when there are initiatives to develop and support
healthy neighborhoods through grass root leadership development.
Community Leaders
The key to great neighborhoods is strong
and effective grass root leaders. They are the ones who live there and who care
about others in the neighborhood, its safety, crime, schools, housing,
businesses, social life, beautification, revitalization and its future. These
men and women process a convincing sense and belief in the neighborhood and are
actively engaged in keeping their community as a place of peace, stable and
clean. They do not seek titles, but are known as model citizens, taxpayers,
hardworking, and law-abiding. Too often, they work along the edges, in small
groups and in the shadows, for them the cause is far more important than the
recognition.
True
leaders are individuals who lead people with a purpose. They have a clear view
of themselves and what their community should look like and to become. They
continue to work towards the standards and not to any particular exception. Even
in the midst of hard times, these kinds of leaders continue to stand up and
give voice for those who also live in the neighborhood. The real measurement of
these kinds of leaders is not by what they look like but by what gets done.
General Collin
Powell once was asked about how he would define the key characteristics of
effective leadership that allow you to become an advocate for good... he stated
"Trust... leadership create the conditions of trust within an
organization... good leaders who are trusted by follower... good leaders take
oorganizations pass the level the science of management say is possible."
He goes on to say that while in infantry school... a sergeant once told him
that "you know that you
are a good leader... when people follow you only out of curiosity..."
In his final remarks, General Powell states "they trust you.. you have
built up that trust... how did you do it... clear mission and statement...
selfish service... people look up to you because you are serving selfishly as
the the leader... and willing to take the risk with them..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocSw1m30UBI
Worth the Investment
Truly, great cities are the ones that find ways to
invest in the development of strong neighborhoods and its residents. In
retrospect, the history of America is full of examples of good and bad
investments in leadership and community development. Needless to say, cities
that devote considerable time, energy and resources in building a community
core leadership base benefits overtime. Additionally, these kinds of cities
actively engage community leaders on various levels in the hope to maintain
good and healthy neighborhoods regardless of changing times.
Strong neighborhoods help build great cities and
great cities make a world of a difference to local residents who desire to live
and enjoy a quality life. As a result, more goodwill increases and the general
appearance of the community itself takes on a whole new meaning. In essence, neighborhoods
are great because its residents are strong and confident that they do make a
different, even when others don’t notice.
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