Characteristics of effective community leadership

Listening to and involving local communities

Leaders cannot call themselves leaders if they are not in touch with the communities they purport to represent. They need to be in touch with all parts of their community, eg, geographical communities, such as parishes and neighbourhoods, and communities of interest, such as young people and minority ethnic communities.

Building vision and direction

Local communities face a complex and diverse set of problems and challenges. They want to know that all the relevant organizations in their area - public, private and voluntary - are working together in a common direction. Councillors have to work with the whole gamut of local organizations and interests, in shaping a long-term vision for the areas they serve.

No single person acting alone can respond effectively to the needs of localities. Effective community leadership involves securing the commitment of partners to delivering a shared vision for their area as well as helping to shape it.

Making things happen

Community leadership involves more than having a sense of direction. It is also about making things happen on the ground - delivering outcomes for local people. Vision, direction and effective partnership are only of any use if they deliver actual change on the ground.

Standing up for communities

Local people want to know that the people they elected to represent them are doing just that. This 'advocacy' role can involve speaking out for local people on major issues that impact on the community - like hospital or factory closures - and acting on behalf of specific groups of individuals.

Empowering local communities

Community leadership is not about the advocate taking power for him/herself. It is more about creating the environment in which other leadership roles can develop, and fostering the development of active citizenship. Leaders have to both lead and stand back at the same time, investing in the growth and development of communities so that they are able to govern themselves.

Accountability to communities

Community leadership involves being accountable to local people - by developing active on-going relationships, ie. listening to and being accountable to local communities through panels and area forums.

Using community resources effectively

Communities, councils and partners have a wide range of resources they can bring to the table. Community leadership is about ensuring these resources are used effectively to meet local priorities. Community leadership is also about delivering the best outcomes for local people and actively seeking new ways to promote the wellbeing of their area.

Resource found at: http://networks.csip.org.uk/_library/Resources/ICN/Characteristics_of_effective_community_leadership.doc