For momentum to continue, new leaders must step forward
President’ s PERSPECTIVE
Hon. Steve McKinnon President
Our reputation for success wasn’ t built overnight
For momentum to continue, new leaders must step forward
4 | COUNTY COMMISSION
As I look toward the 2018 elections, I think back fondly to my appointment to the Dale County Commission in 2009. At the time, I had neither held a public office nor sought it, but I was optimistic about how I could better serve my community. Little did I know that my hopes of bettering my community would lead to my current position in which I’ ve been given the opportunity to better county government across our entire state.
But I won’ t pretend for a second that I got here on my own. As your Association President, I’ m able to serve you because of the leaders who welcomed me into the County Family and who mentored me to become a better leader.
That’ s why I’ m encouraging you to embrace the change that’ s inevitably coming with the election season and change two things about how we operate across the 67 counties – how we lead and how we mentor.
Change How You Lead
This year, we’ ll lose some of our greatest, longtime county advocates. In the wake of this reality, I ask you to take a good look at yourself and what you bring to the county table in terms of leadership.
How are you leading others within your county and Association? What initiatives are you leading to better your county and Association?
Alabama county government has a reputation for success, and it wasn’ t built overnight. It was built by the hard work and leadership of many who took it upon themselves to stand up and make a difference.
We won’ t continue our current momentum without new leaders willing to do the same.
Now is the time to change the way you lead, and there are numerous routes from which to choose- pick one, and give it all you’ ve got.
Change How You Mentor As we say goodbye to some friendly faces of local government, we must also greet the new, unfamiliar faces who will join us in our service to Alabamians. I ask that you be a friend and mentor to the newcomers to our cause, that you teach them and help them. Certainly, we’ ll be stronger with them than without.
Although we use the“ 67 Counties, One Voice” motto often, we must remain cognizant of the time and effort necessary to maintain such a feat. These newcomers will likely know little about county government and even less about our Association and how we achieve success across the state. We must welcome these people and be willing to mold them into the county advocates and leaders their county and this state deserve.
Election season will be over before we know it. I ask that you take the time now to consider what change you will bring to your community and your Association this year and moving forward. Will you become a better leader, a better mentor? Or will you ignore the opportunity of change, tell yourself that everything is fine the way it is and, in the long run, let your team down?
I’ m choosing to become a better leader and mentor. I hope you’ ll join me. n