Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy: How Civic Entrepreneurs Are Building Prosperous Communities

by Douglas Henton, Kimberly Walesh, John Melville, et al.

Book Overview

A seminal work in fleshing out the kind of leadership we need to renew and prepare communities for the demands of democracy in the coming era. Ronald Heifetz, director, Leadership Education Project, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Jolted by the economic downturn of the early 1990s and the rapid globalization of the economy, a group of California business, government, education, and community leaders formed Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, a collaborative regional alliance that helped create a strengthened economy and an improved quality of life in their community. Now three of Joint Venture's advisers outline the process that led to this dramatic turnaround, as well as success stories in Florida, Ohio, Kansas, and Texas. They reveal the powerful new concept of civic entrepreneurship, and they offer practical, proven strategies that community leaders across the country can employ to foster local economic development and renewal. Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy explains the unique leadership qualities that set civic entrepreneurs apart, and illustrates how these leaders can emerge from all levels of private, public, social, and civic organizations. The book shows how civic entrepreneurs forge powerfully productive linkages at the intersection of business, government, education, and community, and it demonstrates how they operate at the grassroots level to create collaborative advantages that make it possible for their economic communities to compete on the global stage. Citing numerous real-life examples, authors Douglas Henton, John Melville, and Kimberly Walesh illustrate the necessary steps to build an economic community. They show how civic entrepreneurs motivate and network to organize for action, set priorities, and mobilize resources to get things done. Finally, they demonstrate how to sustain cross-sector collaboration over the long haul for the good of the community. An indispensable resource, Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy offers step-by-step guidance and practical advice equally useful to business executives, elected officials and public managers, community development practitioners, or concerned citizens who want to take an active role in shaping the future of local economic development.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787908274
• ISBN13: 9780787908270
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Prescription For Community Change In The Early 21st Century

Beginning several decades ago with Alvin Toffler and carried on by Peter Drucker, Thomas Friedman and a host of other writers, a number of examinations of change in our world and how we can/should/may cope with all of it have made their way to bookstore shelves. This current epistle by three writers who've had some hands on experience in working with communities who want to adapt to the switch in the United States from that of a manufacturing based society to a technology based one offer some insights garnered over the past decade or so by communities that are changing the focus of their notion of what the change means to their communities.Using diverse regional examples such as San Jose, California and Silicon Valley, Austin, Texas, Cleveland, Ohio and Phoenix, Arizona, the notion of the civic entreprenuer as the force for change is nicely developed. The writers demonstrate how leaders from government, business, as well as the education sectors can come together to become a powerful source of community improvement. A specific example of this used in the book is Enterprise Florida; an organization clearly focused on garnering a fair share of the economic opportunities available to communities in the Sunshine State. For those who understand the forces being brought to bear on communities, and for those who want to practice the mantra of thinking globaly while acting locally, this work can be especially meaningful, and well worth the time it takes to read.

New hope for South Africa found in Amazon!

As we grapple to build a new society in South Africa, Grassroots Leaders for a new Economy shone like a beacon to show there is a way. A way to build trust and collaborative relationships in an emerging economy. Although based primarily on examples of US communities, many of the problems faced by cities and regions around the world have remarkable simialarities. There is much we can all learn from each other and this book is remarable in sharing the insights gained by 1000's of community leaders. Practical and down to earth, Doug Henton and his co-authors give a step by step guide to building the necessary trust and dynamic working relationships in a diverse community. This is essential reading for anyone involved in community development. Tony Heher,Pretoria,South Africa