Leadership for Social Change

Leadership is ubiquitous. Whether it is referent or real, national or familial, the examples and relationships categorized through leadership are endless. But even more  importantly, to social citizens, leadership provides the foundation that meaningful social change is built on—the rocks of informed, ethical, empowered, and purposeful use of the self in driving change. The internet, social media, and the many incredible tools that exist for online activism are meaningless if not based in an individual connection that resonates with personal action and beliefs.

To positively impact our complex, interconnected world, the guiding features and underlying assumptions of social change must be embedded within ourselves as a result of self-reflection, awareness, values exploration and skill development. It is with these tools that the discovery of injustice and the spark of initiative ignite into a fire for change.

Unfortunately, too often leaders do not pause for exploration, and find themselves amidst confusion and uncertainty, lacking self-assurance, leaving their followers doubting their interest for affiliation, and the cause itself suffering.

The best leaders see themselves as a tool that will require sharpening as they bear the fruit of their cause—they look within to find strengths, authenticity, and purpose. They take pause to question their values, beliefs, and actions to explore congruence and commitment. 

There are a number of texts and resources to assist educators and student alike in exploration—and complemented with literature on social media movements themselves, provide a starting point for the leadership development that serves as the foundation for any meaningful social change.

More importantly, amidst a generation often told to “clean up” their online presence, it is important to champion their efforts for self-reflection, and even further, to support their interest and efforts to learn more about social media as a tool, and provide resources about how it can be leveraged in meaningful ways.

So let’s reframe our vision for social change on social networks through a lens of leadership: focus on self-exploration before engagement, knowledge before application, and understanding before advocacy. Let’s acknowledge the learning process involved in engaging socially movements for social change and build excitement by aligning the values, beliefs, and actions of a cause to those that resonate with the individual. After all, change won’t result from leadership for leadership’s sake, nor will it result from social media for social media’s sake—but leverage these ideas through the frame of bringing values to action, and it will result in so much more.

 

Brian LeDuc is a Manager for Leadership Programs at Kennesaw State University, focusing on the Ascend program developed around domestic exchange projects grounded in leadership development to impact local and national social issues. He holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Roger Williams University and is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a Masters in Educational Administration. He recently completed a two-year term serving as a Student Member on the National Association for Campus Activities Board of Directors. He writes frequently on his blog at brianfleduc.com and can be found on Twitter, @BrianFleDuc.

The views expressed by guest writers are not necessarily representative of Social Citizens or the Case Foundation.