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All Influence Is Local | Building Stronger Communities with Clarence E. Anthony
Manage episode 481171992 series 3475467
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Is all influence truly local?
Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities and host of the City Speak podcast, discusses the importance of inclusive leadership, the lessons from his early mayoral career, and his strategies in navigating complex political landscapes. From inclusive leadership to the power of showing up, Clarence shares how meeting communities where they are—both literally and figuratively—has shaped his approach to leadership. We reflect on how trust is built block by block and why elevating local voices can lead to nationwide impact. Plus, a personal story about Clarence’s mom reminds us why leadership isn’t a solo act—it’s a community effort.
Takeaways:
- Step Up and Be Part of the Solution: Rather than focusing on complaints, individuals are encouraged to take initiative and contribute to solutions within their communities. This means being proactive, finding ways to give back, and remaining resilient through challenges.
- Engage Stakeholders Early: Effective leadership begins with early stakeholder engagement. Involving key voices from the start helps reduce opposition, save time, and build broader collaboration and support for initiatives.
- All Politics Is Local: As the saying goes, “all politics is local.” Local government remains the most trusted level of governance, and leaders who focus on the direct needs of their communities can leverage that trust to drive meaningful change.
- Humanize Local Leaders: Sharing the personal motivations, challenges, and stories of local leaders helps foster stronger connections with the public. This approach breaks down negative stereotypes and builds empathy and understanding within the community.
- Highlight Positive Stories: Uplifting positive stories and successful community projects fosters a sense of optimism and shared progress. Celebrating these wins can inspire others and promote the replication of effective practices across communities.
- Leverage Technology for Transparency—But Stay Vigilant: Technology can be a powerful tool to increase transparency and engagement. However, it must be used responsibly. Leaders should embrace digital tools while remaining alert to potential misuse or the spread of misinformation.
- Equip Leaders with the Right Tools: Access to tools, resources, and support is essential for effective governance. Providing training, technical assistance, federal advocacy, and best practices enables local governments to serve their communities more effectively.
Quote of the Show:
- "You have to focus on your own community first. I think most residents—no matter what’s happening in Washington, D.C.—tend to be most concerned about their local community. It's like looking at a map of your town: the first place your eyes go is your own street, your own home. That’s how our residents are, and surveys back that up. They show the most trusted level of government is the local level—the town and village level—because people see those leaders every day. There's trust in that closeness."
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