Leadership Louisville Connector Project Begins Nomination Process rss feed
Leadership Louisville Connector Project Begins Nomination Process –
Join Social Experiment that will Map Leadership and Discover New Leadership Ideas
Louisville, Kentucky (September 9, 2009) – Who are the best connected people in Louisville and Southern Indiana? Are they elected officials and corporate leaders? Perhaps they’re pastors and teachers? What about police officers, doctors or lawyers? They could be cab drivers, coaches, volunteers, firefighters or journalists.
The truth is, we don’t know who they are. But we’re about to find out.
Leadership Louisville is embarking on a fascinating social experiment – one that is not totally defined but will help define who has the best connections in Louisville and Southern Indiana and why it’s important. Anybody and everybody can participate. And when the results are announced, there will be some surprises.
The Leadership Louisville Connector Project is completely new to the community. In fact, this type of project has only been done once before – by Leadership Philadelphia where they identified 101 persons who – through their connections – exemplified trusted leadership and created positive change. “This is a new way to identify leaders,” says Leadership Louisville Center president Christine Johnson. “We believe we’re going to create a dream team of existing and emerging leaders in Louisville. And we’re confident they will come from all walks of life, ranging from the unsung heroes to longtime leaders.” Johnson has not put a limit on the number of “Connectors” that will be named; this will be determined by the data received through a community-wide nomination process. “Everyone says this is a big-small town because so many people are connected to each other. This project will bring this connection to life.”
Once the Connectors are named, research will be conducted on their leadership characteristics and maps of leadership and connection will be created. In Philadelphia, the Connector Project helped shape policy, influenced the education system and occurred during a change in leadership. Parallels in the community make this a timely and relevant project.
Nomination Process:
Broad-based participation in the nomination process is critical to success and everyone in Louisville and Southern Indiana is being asked to help outreach to their personal and professional networks to encourage individuals to make nominations. Nominate individuals at www.LouisvilleConnectors.com between Sept. 9 and Oct. 31, 2009.
The nomination form includes a series of questions designed to identify people you know in the area who possess expert knowledge, exemplify innovative thinking and demonstrate fortitude. Imagine that the Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana area is committed to transforming itself into the World’s Best Region and you are responsible for putting together a team of people to make this happen. Each question asks for name/s of individuals along with an email address and/or phone number. All names and contact information will be held in confidence by the Leadership Louisville Center.
Nomination Questions:
• Who is innovative and brings big picture ideas to projects?
• Who has expertise or expert knowledge to turn great ideas into reality?
• Who has integrity, concern for the common good and the guts to help get things done?
• Who is effective at implementing and would roll up their sleeves to see work through with you to the end?
• Who would you depend on to help bring together and wisely coordinate resources to meet challenges?
• Who in your own neighborhood or local community could you depend on to make the area the best in the world?
• Who would you go to for advice outside of your own race, class, social circle, gender, religion, age group?
Definition of Connector:The Louisville definition of Connector will emerge through the project. Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell called the people who make it possible to bring great ideas into fruition Connectors, for their ability to create and impact change in their communities by serving as a pocket of trust. Connectors are not always in positions of authority but have a great ability to lead and influence others through their informal networks.
Leadership Louisville Connector Project Partners:Partnering with the Leadership Louisville Center on the Connector Project are: The Courier-Journal, University of Louisville/New Cities Foundation City Solutions Center, Leadership Southern Indiana, Doe-Anderson, and NetForm.
About the Leadership Louisville Center:Created in 1979, the Leadership Louisville Center is the region’s leading leadership development and civic engagement organization. The Center strives to cross economic and social boundaries to inspire individuals to serve as catalysts for a stronger community. Dynamic programming and events develop, connect and engage leaders into action toward social innovation and a brighter future for the Louisville community.
