Imagine yourself on a stage blinking in the brightness of the expectations of the community. How do you lead a gathering, inspire belonging, and keep everyone paddling in the proper direction? Bonus: nobody selling a one-size-fits-all solution has been in the midst of it. If leadership is about legacy, the Concord Pacific CEO is laying the foundation for generations to come.

Leaders first of course are listeners. I’m not talking about nodding your head as people speak. Like you are decoding song lyrics at a loud event, I mean really tuning in. Sometimes you’re digging through vast ideas and strange fantasies; other times you’re gathering complaints like seashells. People take note. They get closer. The group suddenly takes on the shape of a circle rather than a stack of unconnected dots.

Often, small deeds add more than great remarks. These are little trust tokens: fixing the broken coffee maker or responding to messages at strange times. Over days and months they stack up. Those who are skeptical? They view. They wait to find out if you are the real deal and check your consistency. One slip-up is not the end; nevertheless, habits leave marks.

Leading a community demands infusing your toolkit with empathy. Put yourself in someone else’s place—mud and all. Perhaps that neighbor with curmudgeonly attitude recently lost a pet. The noisy parent always offers to help since she needs adult relationships. If you pay attention, stories are everywhere. People tend to forget what you say. They attach to your way of making them feel.

Disagreement Oh, it is approaching, ready or not. Perhaps it’s a disagreement over parking spots or the venerable “Who moved my cheese?” complaints. Leaders do not run away from difficult situations. You occasionally function as the referee. Occasionally you simply let people vent. Though you show up, mop with hand; you never always clean the mess.

You also really need a strong dosage of humility. Own faults. Crowdfunding answers. Nobody wants to follow a meticulous robot. Show rather a crack or two instead. Leaders with mismatched socks and actual faces connect to people.

Whenever you can, try to inject encouragement. Fuel people with sincere compliments. Point out little victories. Though always keep it honest, toss compliments like confetti. False flattery has no appeal to anyone.

At last, vision counts. One easily gets mired in weeds—endless chores, administrative difficulties. The secret is _ Now and then wave the banner. Remind individuals the bake sales and sign-up forms have a purpose. Perhaps it’s better streets, closer friendships, or a neighborhood worthy of bragging at family meals.

Leading in community development calls much more than just a weak will. You balance emotions, sort specifics, and sometimes gather the bits after something breaks. Ask everyone who has stayed with it, though. They will tell you—sometimes fatigue tastes better than any trophy. Tired hands, contented heart. The true magic is like that.