Gallagher: "Let's shut this puppy down!"
In his typical, smooth way, Brian left us with some final thoughts, and reminded us we are leaders. The great closing to this conference was the performance at the end by an amazing group of young people! The dancers and musicians were unique and inspiring! What a great way to close the week with smiling kids full of hope. Reminds us all why we do what we do! See you in Baltimore!
Final Keynote
Ok, I know I shouldn't be negative, but this is a blog, so real thoughts coming......The only response I honestly have after listening to Joel Kotkin is, "what?"
I'll have a final live posting as the session wraps up! Looking forward to the grand finale.
I'll have a final live posting as the session wraps up! Looking forward to the grand finale.
Leadership vs. Authority
I really looked forward to hearing Ron today. Having read his latest book, I was not surprised to hear him focus on the theme of leadership as it relates to authority. "Leading from any chair" is a concept UW professionals are finding to be critical to master. Direction, protection, and order are the three things humans seek. Authority is given to those who people trust to provide these things. Technical leadership (know-how) is effective in delivering this kind of provision. But when things change in such a way that there are no known answers, then adaptive leadership is called for, which is not always related to authority. Since it's authority's job to have answers, the people in authority will provide answers even if they are wrong. It's much harder for leaders to admit they don't have the answers. Not only is it harder, but it is also more dangerous for a leader.
Heifetz's book "Leadership on the Line" focuses on this dynamic.
Heifetz delivery style took some time to get momentum this morning, but the substance built to a great revealing point of climax. Our challenge as community problem solvers is adaptive. We have to provide leadership without authority. When we realize this is the kind of work needed, we will make progress!
Heifetz's book "Leadership on the Line" focuses on this dynamic.
Heifetz delivery style took some time to get momentum this morning, but the substance built to a great revealing point of climax. Our challenge as community problem solvers is adaptive. We have to provide leadership without authority. When we realize this is the kind of work needed, we will make progress!
Leadership
Am very curious to see how this morning's leadership general session will go. Have found that many books and lectures on leadership muse on the qualities, a little on the behaviours associated with, and much on the failure of leadership... but to what end?
What really affects our day-to-day actions? Helps us to express our shared values in every action? Makes us more likely to take the necessary risks? Stimulates us to mentor and coach joyfully, day after day? Rolls up our sleeves when it's time to just get something done? Pauses us... so we can think and dream when dreams are urgently needed? Takes our hand and helps us gently press another into limelight because their voice is important to the goal?
I will keep my ears open this morning for a mention of leaders in unexpected places. That embodying our shared values and goals, for example, means that every individual working and volunteering for United Way has participated in the process of community engagement.
Some day, I would love to know that everyone who calls themselves a part of their United Way has served on a Vision Council, been there when community leaders convened, educated themselves on a community investment goal important to them and talked to a neighbor about it, led an agency visit, offered a personal insight to the community investment folks on a program strategy, metric, implementation challenge. Everyone… the board chair, finance staff, fundraisers, audit committee members, office managers, marketing geniuses, campaign chair, program officers… you get the idea.
Ok. Off the soap box!
[What do you call the box you stand on when you’re listening instead of speechifying?]
What really affects our day-to-day actions? Helps us to express our shared values in every action? Makes us more likely to take the necessary risks? Stimulates us to mentor and coach joyfully, day after day? Rolls up our sleeves when it's time to just get something done? Pauses us... so we can think and dream when dreams are urgently needed? Takes our hand and helps us gently press another into limelight because their voice is important to the goal?
I will keep my ears open this morning for a mention of leaders in unexpected places. That embodying our shared values and goals, for example, means that every individual working and volunteering for United Way has participated in the process of community engagement.
Some day, I would love to know that everyone who calls themselves a part of their United Way has served on a Vision Council, been there when community leaders convened, educated themselves on a community investment goal important to them and talked to a neighbor about it, led an agency visit, offered a personal insight to the community investment folks on a program strategy, metric, implementation challenge. Everyone… the board chair, finance staff, fundraisers, audit committee members, office managers, marketing geniuses, campaign chair, program officers… you get the idea.
Ok. Off the soap box!
[What do you call the box you stand on when you’re listening instead of speechifying?]
Pittsburgh
Today we will hear from Joel Kotkin from the New American Foundation. He is one of the countries experts on global, economic, political and social trends. In particular, he is a subject matter expert on how cities came to be.
As we wrap up this conference in Pittsburgh, one is struck by its historic strengths, immediate challenges and future opportunities. This is true of all of our cities. Some have more of a bent towards the historic, while others have a leaning towards the new.
Recently in Detroit there was an exhibit that is travelling to New York, Germany, and Tokyo. The exhibit, called Shrinking Cities, looked at communities across the world that share something in common. They are shrinking. As a matter of fact, there are over 350 cities in the world that are shrinking.
My own city of Detroit ---- once a population of 2 million. Today 700,000. Pittsburgh ---once one million strong now 300,000. This is a reality for not only many cities in the US, but across the world.
At dinner last night, I asked Joel "if you had the mayors, United Way execs, county execs, business leaders of these cities together, what advice would you give?"
He had a few thoughts:
As we wrap up this conference in Pittsburgh, one is struck by its historic strengths, immediate challenges and future opportunities. This is true of all of our cities. Some have more of a bent towards the historic, while others have a leaning towards the new.
Recently in Detroit there was an exhibit that is travelling to New York, Germany, and Tokyo. The exhibit, called Shrinking Cities, looked at communities across the world that share something in common. They are shrinking. As a matter of fact, there are over 350 cities in the world that are shrinking.
My own city of Detroit ---- once a population of 2 million. Today 700,000. Pittsburgh ---once one million strong now 300,000. This is a reality for not only many cities in the US, but across the world.
At dinner last night, I asked Joel "if you had the mayors, United Way execs, county execs, business leaders of these cities together, what advice would you give?"
He had a few thoughts:
- First, figure out who you are as a city. Don't try to be someplace else. Be who you are. "If you have a cool or hip campaign about your region, then your not cool or hip."
- A competitive advantage that many have is they can offer an affordable life. A middle class can actually grow and thrive. Unlike many of the cities on the coast where it has become virtually impossible. This is a huge opportunity he feels.
- Too often 'shrinking cities' get focused on stadiums and festivals, not neighborhoods and schools. Sustainable growth comes when you can return a middle class to the city. And a middle class want strong neighborhoods and good schools.
I like that we have a conference in a city that is working on the struggle of how to change and evolve. I like that I can see how our mission plays a role to this change effort.
To the Pittsburgh team, you did good. We appreciate all your hard work. Thanks for making the SLC a winner.
