Leadership Focus

Leadership Focus is written by Deke Copenhaver, Principal with Copenhaver Consulting LLC. The former mayor of Augusta, a triathlete, writer and runner, Deke is focused on transforming great ideas into great actions.

Displaying Items 31-45 (of 55)

Seeking Common Ground: Why It’s Not as Hard as We Make It

Leadership Focus

March 9, 2018

Deke Copenhaver

The realization by local governments that the citizens we serve, no matter the district they live in, and are not too dissimilar when it comes to their basic wants and needs, can provide a framework for elected officials to work together towards resolving big picture issues facing cities nationwide.

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True Confessions of a Former Mayor: My Media Experiment

Leadership Focus

February 14, 2018

Deke Copenhaver

After leaving office I had a unique opportunity to seek the common ground in our community as I was asked to host a daily talk show on a local radio station.  Although I had very little radio experience I welcomed the chance to have three hours of air time daily to laser focus on what was going on in our community.

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Collaborative Leadership: Why Knowing What You Don’t Know is Way More Important than Knowing What You Do Know

Leadership Focus

January 11, 2018

Deke Copenhaver

In the end, it may very well not be what you know or who you know, but knowing what you don’t know, that ultimately determines your success in life.

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True Confessions of a Former Mayor: How to Keep Your Indie Street Cred Intact in the World of Politics

Leadership Focus

December 14, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

I found that a focus on maintaining your indie street cred as an elected official is a great way to achieve success and an unwavering bond with the people you serve.

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Not Letting the Tail Wag the Dog: Why Squeaky Wheels Shouldn’t Get the Grease

Leadership Focus

November 14, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

We’ve all heard the same old refrain when a vocal minority gets their way: the squeaky wheel always gets the grease. Yet when you really think about it, this should be one of the most ridiculous statements we’ve ever bought into.

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The Art of Being Transparent: How to do it Effectively and Why it Matters

Leadership Focus

October 11, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In today’s world, where people are more hungry for accurate information and strong leadership than they’ve ever been before, being an accessible, open and transparent leader is important in fostering a sense of trust in your leadership.

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Lessons My Father Taught Me: Never Keep the Shiny, New Wheelbarrow

Leadership Focus

September 6, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

Coming in to office, my eyes were wide open as to what a large percentage of people thought with regards to politicians using their office for personal gain. With the knowledge of what many citizens thought, I determined I’d do things in a bit of a different fashion.

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The Art of Team Building: How to do it and Why it's So Important

Leadership Focus

August 14, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In a world which often prizes individual achievements, it’s ultimately the connection between individuals with a common goal, purpose, and objective that can move mountains or overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

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The Counterculture of Conversation: Why Human Voices Still Matter in a Tech Driven World

Leadership Focus

July 5, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

As much as I love social networking and value it as a way to connect, I still value more the dying art of conversation. No key stroke can convey as much emotion, passion or conviction as a simple look in the eye or the sound of a human voice.

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The Art of Grassroots Engagement: How to do it Best and Why it’s So Important

Leadership Focus

June 12, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

Whether it's in business, politics or any other field, the result of losing touch with the man (or woman) on the street usually leads to blind spots in the decision making process, with leaders often caught off guard by the consequences of, as well as the reactions to, the decisions they make.

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The Art of Shaping Public Opinion: How To Do It and Why it Matters

Leadership Focus

May 15, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In leadership positions, public opinion matters and shaping it is more of an art form than it is a tried and true science. Relying on the latest poll numbers on your product line, your latest policy or your approval rating, has led more than one leader to make the wrong decision at the wrong time.

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The Art of Being a Changemaker: How to do it and Why it Matters

Leadership Focus

April 13, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

Whether it's in business, government or any other sector, changemakers are simply a necessity that society can’t do without. If no one tries to change things, things simply are never going to change.

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The Art of Leadership: Learning to Trust Your Instincts and Lead from the Heart

Leadership Focus

March 13, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

A focus on decisions made through time tested good instincts and on behalf of the greater good will undoubtedly lead to your becoming a more trusted and respected leader. It will also lead to your leadership role having a lasting impact which will serve your organization long after your season of leadership is over.

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Media and Government: A Crisis of Confidence and Our Nation's Need for Trusted Voices

Leadership Focus

February 15, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In a democracy in which a free press and an open government should be the pillars upholding the underpinnings of our nation, what happens when neither of the two institutions are trusted? In a time of uncertainty, trusted voices are now more important than ever and the best place to start developing them is at the local level. 

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Media Relations: How to Build Them and Why the Press is Your Friend

Leadership Focus

January 12, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In today’s world the media can seem like an angry giant waiting to squash the latest bug on its radar. Whether it’s a celebrity, a politician or a corporation, it often seems like the members of the press are just waiting for the next controversy to arise to pounce on. Although there’s no doubt a good bit of truth to this, if you’re in the public eye building a good working relationship with the media is both a good idea and a good business principle.

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Displaying Items 31-45 (of 55)