Living Where We Lead

It’s just that basic. It’s just that important.

I put my support—hands down—behind neighbors who live in the community and dare to try to lead—however haltingly—over professionals who “serve the community” but choose—year upon year, decade after decade—to live elsewhere.

I’ve done both. The difference is vast.

I used to bristle when told I needed to live in the community where I was appointed to lead. I no longer bristle. I get it—finally.

This is a basic Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) principle and practice of John McKnight that is conveniently ignored by those who aspire to lead in community service, community development, and public service.

It is also ignored in recruiting and maintaining Board of Directors made up of non-resident members of nonprofits (who then hire and bless non-resident leaders).

Much of so-called professional leadership has little connection to organic community life. And everyone loses through presumption and a general Gen X/Z version of noblesse oblige. 

Professional leaders living distantly are not only hamstrung in their perspectives and decison-making, they often cannot even recognize the power of what they don’t know—to everyone’s detriment.

Local living matters—incredibly. 

I will write more about this later, but this is my opening salvo, challenge, and invitation from a 37-year nonprofit Executive Director of four major local nonprofits. 

If you want to lead with organic legitimacy, then live where you lead. It’s just that basic. It’s just that important.