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What makes a person a leader in their community? Were they born with such traits or did they develop them over time? How can you actively develop strong leadership for your community? These are questions often asked by members of a community. And there are answers.

American traditions and circumstances foster widespread leadership potential. The question of whether or not just one type of person can be a "leader" has been studied at length. Early research on human behavior was directed toward finding inherited traits that would distinguish between leaders and nonleaders. Most researchers today have concluded that inherited characteristics are not crucial to becoming a leader. Instead, they have focused on leadership as an ability, a process and a product.

Leadership is an ability because a leader must have the intellectual awareness to perform in ways that attract others. It is a process because being a leader calls for developing positive interpersonal relationships with others. It is a product because the processes initiated by the leader and developed among group members result in satisfying the group's goals.

Leadership is not taking a group where the leader wants to go, but in seeing that every member of the group has a sense of accomplishment and feels his or her objectives have been met.

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand and remember. Leaders also understand that people can only be led where they want to go. The leader follows, though a step ahead.

As a planning commissioner, you can help your community by identifying and "nurturing" future leaders.

Observe those participating in neighborhood meetings, as well as in meetings of your planning commission and local governing body. Are they sound and rational thinkers? Even if their opinion differs from yours, do they have an objective approach to the subject? How do they react when questioned? How do they relate to other people? Compliment them on their contributions-- and call on them to participate on committees or on projects when opportunities arise.

Remember that leaders come from all sorts of economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds. Look for diversity when identifying potential leaders.

Leadership Training

Development of community leaders is a never-ending process beginning with the identification of potential leaders, drawing them into areas of involvement, and providing training.

The objective of leadership training is to identify each person's style of interaction with others in a group, and to "round out" a person, giving them strength in their individually weak areas. Leadership training need not be formal to be effective; however, it is often enhanced by some form of an organized program.

Members of the Littleton, Colorado, Planning Commission have participated in a number of training programs, including the following:

Chamber of Commerce Leadership Training. Chamber of Commerce Leadership programs give participants the opportunity for face to face discussions with present community leaders. This allows for a better understanding of the interrelationships and complexities of the current scene. In the Denver area, candidates for the Chamber training programs are typically already proven leaders: CEO's, mayors, and others representative of top level management. A training program typically involves about two dozen individuals, selected to provide diversity in race, gender, and occupational fields. Participants attend monthly all day sessions to expand their knowledge about the community, and improve their leadership skills.

Community Leadership Retreats. In Littleton, the non-profit, "Littleton Leadership Retreat," each year sponsors a weekend retreat during which participants discuss a designated topic of concern to the community. Suggestions made at the weekend retreat are often put into practice in the community. The retreat participants have formed the nucleus of community support for the program, each offering assistance in their own particular areas of expertise and concern. see sidebar "Mythical Village"

Skills Training. The Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association (like many other APA state or regional chapters) regularly sponsors planning commissioner training. Leadership skills are often the focus of workshop sessions, dealing with topics such as holding an effective hearing and developing good listening skills.

Leadership training takes time and commitment. But it can yield valuable dividends for your community. Make use of existing training opportunities in your community. If you don't have any, be a leader yourself, and see about getting some started!