they want to use it, they will use it. The most important part of the process is that the people feel a sense of ownership and that they feel really proud. As I think about it, I see many similarities between Placemaking and Leadership. Back in 2001, I was one of the “Original 12” students in the Art of Leadership youth program. My classmates and I, all 11 year-olds, were selected by our school to take part in this brand new program in our school, Cornerstone Middle School, in Detroit. During that first year in Art of Leadership, we went to a neighborhood in Detroit. As 6th grade Detroiters, we were asked, “What do you see in this community?” “What do you like, and what don’t you like?” “What do the people of this community need, want, hope for?” While we didn’t realize it at the time, ALF was engaging us in designing our community in a way that met our needs and also met the needs of our neighbors. We had to tap into our personal visions and values and to create a mission for the neighborhood that would work for everyone in it. As we went through our first community service project, “A Very Berry Newberry,” we spoke with residents, teachers, students, and ALF volunteers to determine the exact goals and scope of our project. In the end, we decided to paint the exterior of 14 homes, clean years throughout the neighborhood, plant flowers and grass, and give each home owner a brand new address sign, featuring the Art of Leadership logo. During the project, neighbors pitched in, along with nearly 200 volunteers, to complete this all in just 3 days! Some helped to paint, others cooked lunch and snacks for us, and others provided “volunteer support,” bringing water and snacks to each of us as we worked. During this project, we were in the very early stages of learning…and living…placemaking! During my time in the Art of Leadership program, I was not conscious of the correlation between the leadership skills that I learned and how they would serve me in my career. As a designer, who is comAVENUES TO AFFORDABILITY
mitted to urban redevelopment (placemaking), I employ leadership, management, and coaching skills every day. I draw upon the communication skills that I learned; I utilize effective listening and dialogue skills in my conversations and in planning sessions with others. I find that placemaking, like leadership, requires eliciting a clear vision from others and creating a “mosaic of
visions” to form the true Mission to which each person can and will commit. I am excited to see such a strong Placemaking movement in Detroit and in other cities across the Nation. I know that this is a process that will help people, in all aspects of each community, become leaders in their own right.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO KEEP A WINNING TEAM ON TARGET? THE COACHES AT ART OF LEADERSHIP KNOW Since 1987, the Art of Leadership team has been coaching people in business, education, government, and nonprofit organizations, supporting their personal growth and development as leaders; building winning teams. We promise measurable results and ask our clients to hold us accountable for that promise. How can we help your teams? Call or write, and together we’ll find out.
877.FOR.GLCF or info@artofleadership.net Art of Leadership Advisors is a Strategic Partner with Great Lakes Capital Fund
29