Community-First Leadership

[Amelia]

When we talk about community-first leadership we are talking about how a leader of a community approaches that community. 

As a community-first leader, it is about putting your community first and ensuring that the interests and well-being of your community are always prioritized.

Being a community-first leader is not for everyone and it takes someone who has compassion and is able to keep a deep involvement within their community and provide understanding. It also takes someone who can address the aspirations, values and needs of their community members. 

Below we give you some key characteristics and principles that you will find in a community-first leader

Being Transparent:

When it comes to being a leader of a community, one of the most important things is being transparent. As a leader you need to be open and honest with your community regarding your intentions and any decision-making or actions you take. 

Communicating clearly with your community regarding your goals, plans and what you hope the outcome to be. 

Being Inclusive:

A community-first leader always works to include every member of their community no matter their religion, beliefs, race or even sexuality. Every member of the community will always have their opinions heard and their opinions will always be valued. 

Showing Empathy:

Those who are community-first leaders will actively listen to their community and seek to understand how they feel showing that they take their feelings into consideration. 
This shows your community that you want to understand them and that helps them trust you as a leader. 

Collaborating:

A community-first leader will seek to build relationships with other community leaders to help build partnerships and build relationships with other community members to work together in building up goals each community may have. 

Taking accountability:

 
Community-first leaders will hold themselves accountable when it comes to the community. This will make them willing to take responsibility for their actions and decisions and be happy to receive feedback that they will always take into account. 

Have a long-term perspective:

As community-first leaders, they will focus on long-term and sustainable solutions that will benefit the community over time rather than making quick decisions that will give instant results. 

Community leaders are often applied in various different contexts based on their experience with each group. Whilst some are placed within a government or business community, others may be better suited in a family or social group. 
 

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