Leadership is one of those words we use often, yet it can mean many different things to different people. Some associate leadership with titles or authority.
Others think of influence, vision, or decision-making. In local government, I have found that leadership is about something much more personal. It is about service and stewardship. And perhaps most importantly, it is about people.
At the Georgia Municipal Association, we have the privilege of working alongside city officials from all 536 Georgia cities and have witnessed this type of leadership taking place all across our state. What inspires me most is the commitment these leaders bring to their communities. Whether they are serving a city of 500 residents or 500,000, our local leaders are working every day to make life better for the people they serve.
Based on Gallup’s most recent Governance Survey, most people place their highest trust in local government leaders, with 67 percent expressing confidence that local leaders can handle local problems. That is a testament to local leaders being closest to the people they serve, and the care, concern, and compassion they demonstrate with their service.
One reason our Georgia leaders shine is because they never stop learning. The challenges facing cities today are more complex than ever before. Addressing these challenges requires leaders who are willing to learn, adapt, and embrace new ideas. And doing so with a servant’s heart and vision that is expected to see things before others are able to do so.
We see this commitment reflected in the eager participation of municipal leaders in the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a partnership between GMA and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Our city leaders embrace the numerous programs offered and the opportunities to learn from each other and to grow in their ability to serve.
Leadership development is another important investment any organization can make. Early in my own professional journey, it was council leaders who encouraged me, challenged me, mentored me, and trusted me with opportunities to grow. Those experiences shaped my understanding of leadership and reinforced one of the greatest responsibilities of leadership: developing future leaders.
Across Georgia, city leaders are helping prepare the next generation through youth councils, leadership programs, civic engagement initiatives, literacy efforts, and mentorship opportunities. GeorgiaForward, GMA’s nonprofit organization, operates the Young Gamechangers program, which convenes Georgia’s brightest young professionals under the age of 40 each year to tackle significant community challenges. In the process, participants strengthen their leadership skills, build relationships, and gain skills that will build thriving communities.
Strong communities do not happen by accident. They are built intentionally, one person at a time and one generation at a time.
As Georgia continues to grow and evolve, the need for strong local leadership has never been greater. Their continued success will depend on leaders who are willing to serve, willing to learn, and willing to invest in others. That’s the leadership that will keep Georgia’s cities shining bright. I know you are one of those leaders and I thank you for your service.
