What "Leading from the Middle" Means to Me

In my last post, I asked readers what "leading from the middle" means to them. In my professional life so far, this has meant taking on projects. Not just the ones needing to be done, but taking initiative and developing new projects or ideas/proposals to present to my "team".

At the same time, I have been very hesitant to take on projects that go beyond my "team" and would benefit the organization as a whole and go beyond my expertise (such as fundraising and membership). Yet, if I want to make an impression on the Executive Director, this is the scale I would have to reach and the kind of leadership I would have to demonstrate to be considered for a higher position. I find this very daunting. I have been inspired, though, by the writings of Rosetta Thurman on her blog Perspectives from the Pipeline. Specifically, I would recommend readers check out the following post on Stretch Assignments.

I also began serving on the board of a local food co-op. While it is not technically a nonprofit, much of the work is similar and it is providing a great place for me to meet new people outside of my field at work and gain new skills. Interestingly, I did not run for the board because I thought it would be a 'stretch assignment' but because I just saw everyone I knew with a professional nonprofit job sitting on a board of some kind. There is a place for copying others and learning later.

What kinds of things are you doing to "stretch" yourself?

Rural Youth and the National Rural Assembly

The newsletter of the National Network of Forest Practitioners (NNFP) just came out with an article covering the National Rural Assembly. Not only did they send their intern to this national convening, but there was apparently an entire contingent of youth presenting on Youth Voices: Youth Response to the Rural Compact. As far as I can tell, proceedings have not been published yet; following is an excerpt from Jessica Turner's article:

My favorite part of the entire conference was ‘Youth Voice,’ which was a session that focused on young adults’ concerns for their communities. This was my generation demanding that rural people have the same advantages given to other members in society. The voices of Arthur Joe Jr. from Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico, Jacqueline Smith from Marks, Mississippi, Gabriela Torres from Edcouch, Texas, and Brittany Hunsaker from Whitesburg, Kentucky, spoke with a unified message of the need for sustainable development of rural areas where the health of the people, community and the land are all priorities.

Each youth showed a short documentary film that they produced and answered questions from the audience afterward. Watching Brittany Hunsaker’s documentary about coal mining in Kentucky was heart-wrenching because it showed that coal mining affects every aspect of the rural community. When they all finished speaking, they were met with a standing ovation. My generation has the arduous task of continuing the momentum for change and justice in response to our country’s needs. It was encouraging to be in the presence of today’s leaders, showing such support for the next generation.

As a young professional stuggling to find opportunities to develop skills and leadership-to "lead from the middle"-I am encouraged by organizations that provide opportunities for younger (read: non-executive level) staff to attend national and regional convenings around such important issues. In my experience nonprofits, in their constant struggle to make new connections with funders and other people of influence, tend to capitalize on these events by sending high-level staff that can speak for and represent the organization.

However, in our (young professionals) effort to gain the skills we need, access to information, ideas and others in our field are crucial and the building blocks to becoming leaders and experts in our field.

What does "leading from the middle" mean to you?

For more about "leading from the middle" see Trista Harris's guide on her website Do Good Guides.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

First, I would like to give due credit to Trista Harris, primary author of the trend-setting blog New Voices of Philanthropy, and from whom I have borrowed the name.  My hope for this blog is to take the inspiration gained from Trista's blog (and others) and begin a conversation about next generation of Conservation Leaders and the change we want to see in the field, in our work and in the world.

The dialogue that exists around the leadership deficit and the needs of next generation leaders is compelling.  Unfortunately, the conversation doesn't seem to have reached the conservation community.  

What are we, in the conservation field, doing to nurture and support our next generation of leaders?