Connected & Learning Leaders
Connected & Learning Leaders
What do coaching circles, empathy buddies, and deep dives amount to? A connected and vibrant group of local community leaders.
Collaborations -
LP038-R006
The issue
Like all communities, we are facing a myriad of challenges, including climate change, pandemics, and inequality. For a community to build their resilience to face these challenges, authentic leadership can provide a source of inspiration and empowerment.
The solution
A Local Leaders Course was created for the Hunter region, inviting participants from across the region who came from a variety of backgrounds, expertise, interests, professions, and levels of leadership skill.
The course was developed from a collaboration between Hunter Local Land Services, Hunter Region Landcare Network, and Global Leaders, through a co-design process. As the course progressed, participants became co-designers in the course content, facilitating a shared learning experience.
The impact
Common between all participants was their sometimes unplanned and accidental launch into community leadership roles. Some participants found themselves starting a movement of organic growers, leading groups of youth on a more prosperous path into the future, others were quiet achievers inspiring others through their lived example.
Through coaching circles, empathy buddies, and deep dives, participants were able to learn from each other, support each other through the challenges, and witness the positive changes that can happen through a little guidance and great personal growth.
Learnings
Authentic leadership is not always about leading from the front:
Sometimes it is in being silent and listening
Sometimes its about being present and vulnerable
It may come in the form of a tiny spark or in asking a difficult question
Key facts
- 9 days of sharing & learning
- Residential course at Tocal College
- 14 participants graduated as community leaders