*[Conley's notes]{.underline}*

**NRDP 2003 Council Development Workshop**

November 3-5, 2003 -- Kansas City, Missouri.

**SESSION: Leadership**

(Tom Guthrie-MI, Don Koverman-IN, Nan Wheeler-FL, Chris Marko-OR)

-   Don Koverman, Indiana Rural Development Council Executive Director,
    stressed the importance of networking. He offered to the group a
    resource entitled [Leveraging Networks: A Guide for Public Managers
    Working across Organizations]{.underline}, by Professor Robert
    Agranoff, of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at
    Indiana University-Bloomington. This guide, which includes several
    examples of partnerships, networks, etc., features "Ten Lessons on
    How to Manage in Networks," and is available for public use. Contact
    Mark A. Abrahamson, Executive Director of IBM Endowment for the
    Business of Government, 1616 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA
    22209; 703-741-1077; 703-741-1076 (fax)

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-   Nan Wheeler, Chair of Florida Rural Development Council, presented
    an anecdote that demonstrated the challenges leaders often face,
    both logistically and structurally. She shared a personal story of
    how leaders must be willing to overcome obstacles to be effective
    for their organizations.

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-   Chris Marko, Co-Chair of Oregon Rural Development Council, presented
    the 3 dimensions of success for meeting goals through effective
    leadership: Results, Process, and Relationships/Roles. He said that
    all three are equally important, and must be maintained in balance.

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-   Tom Guthrie, Chair of Rural Partners of Michigan, gave a general
    presentation of Key Leadership and Communication Principles. The
    following are some highlights of his presentation:

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-   Aristotle's Principles for Leadership and Communication:

    -   LOGOS: Logical Proof Lead with knowledge.

    -   PATHOS: Emotional Proof Lead with heart, passion.

    -   ETHOS: Ethical Proof Lead by example.

-   Other Principles & necessary skills:

    -   Teamwork

        -   The degree that a team is empowered is determined by the
            strength of the leader's commitment.

        -   The more committed and determined the leader, the more the
            success.

        -   When things go right, effective leaders take less credit
            than they deserve. When things go wrong, they take more
            blame than they deserve.

        -   Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to achieve
            uncommon results

    -   Change and progress

        -   "Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a
            nation." -Oscar Wilde

        -   The biggest misstep we can sometimes make is... no step at
            all.

        -   Strategies for Progress -- Question quality by asking:

            -   What are we doing well now, and how can we do it better?

            -   What are we now doing that we should not be doing?

            -   What are we not doing that we should be doing?

        -   Excellence can be attained if you:

            -   Care more than others think is wise

            -   If wise, risk more than others think is safe

            -   Dream more than others think is practical

            -   Expect more than others think is possible

    -   Public speaking

        -   Great speakers think concepts & ideas, not words.

        -   Static speakers produce listless audiences.

        -   Use gestures that reinforce, support, communicate our verbal
            message. Smile and laugh.

        -   Reagan Principle: "If you talk to everybody, you talk to
            nobody; if you talk to one person you talk to everybody."

        -   Tips for Question and Answer Sessions

            -   Listen

            -   Paraphrase: When, Why, How, What

            -   Get confirmation

            -   Answer in under 25 seconds

            -   Verify if answer is satisfactory

-   Closing Poem

> **[Build a Better World]{.underline}**
>
> "Build a better world," God said:
>
> I answered, "How?
>
> "The world is such a large place,
>
> "And it is complicated now;
>
> "And I so small and useless am,
>
> "There's probably nothing I can do."
>
> But God -- in all his wisdom said:
>
> "Just build a better [You]{.underline}."