News Release From:
University Extension Center
Courthouse Room 201
Palmyra, MO 63461
(573) 769-2177
Contact: CommunityDevelopment Specialist, David Hill

Developing Leadership in Rural Areas

There is a tendency to underestimate the significance of leadership to the health and vitality of a community. This and other factors lead to inadequate attention paid to development of leadership capacity in rural areas. A few researchers even refer to a "paucity" of rural leadership, attributing it to a number of factors.

Some people who live in rural areas tend to be rugged individualists. These people believe if it's going to be done right, or done at all, it will have to be done alone. Others tend to define leadership in terms of role, for example, the mayor, the school board president, etc. Informal leaders, such as the organizer of a community bake sale, the stay-at-home mother who is still very active in community activities, or the person who leads an effort to get a referendum on the ballot, are often unrecognized, and little effort is expended in developing their leadership potential.

The value of leadership development to the health and vitality of a community, rural or urban, cannot be underestimated. Without effective leadership, communities falter and even fail; with effective leadership they can flourish.

There are a number of active ways to support development of future leaders for rural areas. They must be identified and encouraged. They need to be exposed to new ideas and people to provide an expanded vision of the possibilities. Current leaders need to act as role models and mentors to encourage a new "crop" of leadership. In the process of mentoring, opportunities for feedback should be in place as a means of continuing improvement.

Networking is critical so people understand that it is more important to know where to find answers than to know the answer itself. Researchers find leaders spend considerably more time formulating the right questions instead of attempting to convince others they have the answer to a community concern.

Risk-taking opportunities should be provided, so comfort zones are expanded and the individual does not become paralyzed or limited by fear of failure. Risk-taking occurs as people are encouraged in their pursuit of dreams. Success serves as a building block for increased confidence and more success. In a world increasingly aware of the need for life-long learning, opportunities to learn and practice new skills are a must, particularly in the area of communication.

University Extension offers a variety of programs that help develop the leaders necessary to meet challenges in changing communities. Through individual and group learning experiences, participants acquire the knowledge and develop the skills that make a difference.

Past participants include farmers, merchants, homemakers, local government officials, civic group members and congregational organizers. They are diverse with one common thread; a commitment to public involvement in solving community issues.

For more information about our learning opportunities in leadership development and how they can be tailored to local needs contact your County's University Extension Center.