TOPIC

Knowing Where to Look

Once you know what you are looking for in a new leader, you need to know where to start looking. These are some activities you will find good leaders involved in:

  1. Volunteering in your organization: You know what they believe and see their commitment—encourage your skilled volunteers to take it a step further and run for office.
  2. Running a small business: Successful entrepreneurs know how to balance a budget, manage employees, and work hard—add to that an already established network and insight on how government impacts small business and you have a leader with a lot of potential.
  3. Serving on appointed government boards: Putting previous government service on their resumes can give these community leaders added insight and earn the trust of voters.
  4. Helping everywhere: A person who would make a good leader often has a finger in almost everything going on in your community. If he or she has the values you are looking for, see if you can get the individual to go to the next level and channel that energy into running for office.
  5. Looking back at you from the mirror: Don’t count yourself out! Maybe you are the leader you’ve been looking for!