This is the fourth in a series of articles revolving around the topics that will be presented at the 17th Annual Leadership Summit scheduled for September 10-12, 2009 at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.  The program titled, ‘The Strength and Spirit of Leadership in Local Government’ includes underlying themes of change, collaboration, courage and the personal challenges of serving as a leader in local government. 
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Typically, people either move into a position to lead others by conscious choice or are put into a leadership role unexpectedly by circumstance.  The key question is, will you arrive on the stage of leadership unprepared, or will you reach your destination as a result of a conscious effort to grow and prepare?

Leadership is Influence. 
Your ability to influence people positively, by adding value to their lives, is important if you are to influence beyond your title.  The best leaders are the best servants.  If you want to lead and effectively influence people, a leader must serve them.  As a leader, continually ask yourself these three questions:

• How can I, in this moment, best serve?
• How can I help others address their highest priority needs and grow as a person?
• How can I best serve the needs of the community?

This premise, fully embraced, fosters trust, collaboration, synergy, personal development and a visionary mindset.  It offers new ways to encourage the growth of people and capitalize on the knowledge and wisdom of all, not just those in executive roles. 

In order to accomplish this you must be able to effectively influence those you lead, your peers and those you report to.  In addition, you must be able to put others before yourself. 

Embracing these concepts means making a conscious choice to balance the development of people with production and profits.  It also requires you to be honest with who you are and your willingness to embrace those qualities necessary to be a person of character and integrity.  An effective leader must be trustworthy and consistent.  A leader must be willing to subjugate personal agendas to those that are for the greater good of others and the community.

As a local official, it is important to become intentional about how you develop as a leader, positively influence others, and cultivate your influence.  At the same time, it is imperative to strengthen your commitment and ability to create quality relationships that will add value to the lives of those you lead and serve. 

A successful leader will unquestionably build trust through personal integrity, as they define and articulate a compelling vision, challenge and inspire for results, and ultimately lead with purpose. 

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Eric Boles is President of Edge Learning Institute, a training and development company dedicated to maximizing the human asset.  Boles has worked with the federal government, the elite special forces, numerous local city governments, and several private companies, non-profits, and other organizations to develop new levels of commitment.  His expertise in team dynamics, leadership, maximizing momentum, personal growth and change are used by the best companies in the world and have helped shape many successful leaders-lead with purpose. 

The annual Leadership Summit is NLC’s primary leadership development program for local officials.  Designed as a leadership retreat, the Summit provides personal leadership development that is focused on community perspectives.  For more information, contact the Leadership Training Institute at (202) 626-3170 or visit the NLC website at www.nlc.org