EDUCATION
What It Means To Be a Public Leader
The notion of "Public Leadership" is absolutely important to social well-being of any nation on the planet. Here at The American Democracy Institute (ADI), a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., we know that this "coming together" of experienced professionals and the young up-and-coming generation will enhance the public leadership sector. This "coming together" is essential to having members of society participate in all phases of leadership. This will attain complete social participation in this particular democracy. A public leader is someone that aims to better the community in which he/she lives in. A public leader can do anything from working at a local park to establishing a foundation for underprivileged kids to working pro bono, couple hours a week. Most importantly a Public Leader may come from any background; there is no prerequisite for one to take on this particular role.
As the United States of America enters the second part of "globalization century", the country has consistently tried to reach its overall goal "that all men are created equal" as Thomas Jefferson famous wrote in the United States Declaration of Independence. Over time America has looked back to Jefferson's writings as models for what the fabric American society should be. The mention of equality has arguably still not been realized to this day. This country has endured a great deal of growing pains when it comes to this issue. Starting with the American Indians to Lincoln's Emancipation of Slavery, the first hundred years were quite tumultuous. Yet, it was because of strong-willed public leaders that help end slavery, allowed minorities of all "colors" to gain equal voting rights. Public leaders from all sorts of professions move American society along the path of realizing its chimerical dream of complete equality. While this idea may be completely utopian, anything close to perfection would be suitable and realistic. Today in the 21st century, we are essentially looking for our next "Martin Luther King Jr." or our own modern day "Susan B. Anthony".
Since the American democracy system has a ways to go when it comes to equality not only in the government sector but in non-governmental sector as well, this is where ADI's expertise and networking will provide an avenue to these professionals to "close the gap" that has been closing ever since that immortal day (July 4, 1776) when the Second Continental Congress approved Jefferson's Declaration of Independence.
With the second Presidential Administration of the 21st century underway, President Obama has encouraged the younger generation to take a greater role in society. He has done this by passing the "Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act" which looks to generate a movement to develop a sense of community service and public leadership in the hearts and minds of those who will be in charge of the American society in the coming decades. This initiative has been started and practiced by those at the highest levels of the American government. For, example both the First Lady and the President have had extensive experience in these roles while growing up in the late 20st century.
-Ankit Sheth
EDUCATION
RESOURCES
In the Entrepreneurial Leadership workshop at the California Empower Change Summit, participants heard about the ventures of various entrepreneurs. Panelists discussed what inspires them, how to build effective teams and partnerships, and the important role of advisors and mentors. They also offered the audience insight into their favorite reading materials including books, blogs and websites. These resources, and others we have collected from presenters and participants at ADI programs, are listed below.
Books
- A Whole New Mind,
Daniel Pink
- Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make
a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell
- Make a Name for Yourself: Eight Steps
Every Woman Needs to Create a Personal Brand Strategy for Success, Robin
Fisher Roffer
- The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the
Happiness in Your Heart, Willie Nelson
- Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks
Built a Company One Cup at a Time, Howard Schultz, Dori Jones Yang
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make
the Leap...and Others Don't, Jim Collins
- State of the Unions: How Labor Can
Strengthen the Middle Class, Improve Our Economy, and Regain Political
Influence, Philip Dine
- The First Campaign:Globalization, The Web and the Race for the White House, Garrett Graff
Blogs
Seth Godin
Joe Jaffe
Websites
WorldChanging
World Resources Institute
EDUCATION
INSIGHTS
We've heard you. We know that you want to be able to view high quality and in-depth discussions with leaders throughout the country. The people ADI interviews are role models who speak not only about the issues they care about, but how they have succeeded and the path they took to get there.
That's why ADI has introduced Insights. Insights are one-on-one interviews with our President and CEO John Hart, and leaders across a wide array of fields. Continue to check back here for more Insights and other future programming to be launched in 2007.
The following Insight is with Justin Levitt, Counsel Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law. Justin Levitt discusses how he got involved in politics, electoral reform, and his advice to others.