Unique Qualities You Need to Have as a Community Leader
Did you know community leaders are agents of change in the community? The purpose of community leadership is to build social change and improve community status. Did you know that community leaders in non-profit organizations earn an average salary of $50,000 per year? An essay done found that 70% of community leaders volunteer their time outside their professional duties and consider economic development, infrastructure and public safety to be their top priorities. Community leaders who participate in leadership development program are more likely to be effective and achieve positive results in their communities. Discussed below are the qualities that make a great community leader.
1. Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is an essential trait for any community leader. A community leader should be able to understand their own strength and weakness, as well as their impact on others. The four strategies of building self-esteem in children will prepare children as future community leaders. When a community leader is a self-aware, they are able to make more effective decisions, communicate clearly and build strong relationships with the members of their community.
2. Honest and Integrity
If a person cannot be trustworthy they can never be seen as a leader to the community. Honesty and integrity are crucial qualities that you should possess as a community leader. These qualities help to build trust and credibility with the people you are serving and enables you to make decision that are in the best interest of the community. Community leader should be open and transparent with the community about their action, decisions and motives. This includes being honest about your limitations and seeking feedback and input from community and fellow leaders.
3. Eager to Learn and Adapt
Communities are constantly evolving and changing. It is important to be open-minded and willing to learn and adapt to new things in order to deliver the best services according to the needs of the community. Since change is inevitable, as a community leader you should embrace any changes in the community and be ready to adapt to changing circumstances. You should be proactive in anticipating change and take action to prepare for them. By being an eager learner and adaptable leader, you can help your community grow and thrive.
4. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are crucial for a community leader. As a community leader, you are responsible for bringing people together, fostering collaboration and building relations by working with other leaders. The 5 essential leadership skills a leader should posses are mainly the interpersonal skills which include; effective communication, empathy, conflict resolution, networking, leadership and team building. By developing these interpersonal skills, you can build trust, inspire others and create a strong and vibrant community.
5. Service
What makes quality community leader is the services they provide to the community through various activity such as volunteering, fundraising, capacity building, donation and participating in community events. Being a quality leader involve being dedicated to serving the needs of the community and striving to create a positive impact thus creating a better future for the community. Finstock Evarsity College offers Social Work-Community Development course that provides learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to help them to learn the necessary leadership skills, earn a living and accomplish their goal of joining the course.
You can enroll in the following related courses:
a) Diploma in Public Health-Health Promotion
b) Basics in Crime and Security Management
c) Leadership Skills for Supervisors
