Austin always tops the lists of great places to live for young/creative people. The city markets itself with “Keep Austin Weird” or “Live Music Capital of the World”. What is Minnesota’s brand?

A few weeks ago the Star Tribune published an editorial urging Minnesota to tell our story more effectively. The article was written after national site selectors visited Minneapolis-Saint Paul and praised several civic efforts.

How can we connect our community to Austin, Texas? The Minneapolis Regional and Saint Paul Area Chambers of Commerce intend to find out. They will host the 9th annual InterCity Leadership Visit in November. By invitation only, the civic leadership of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, will travel to Austin with a delegation of 75 community/regional representatives. The first trip was to Denver in 2001 and the ICLV has since traveled to Seattle, Boston, Dallas, San Diego, Toronto, Atlanta and Charlotte to learn about city and regional best practices.

This trip has two objectives. First is to introduce the delegation to Austin’s innovative ideas, programs and initiatives. The second, though initially less tangible, is far reaching. Relationships will develop during this shared educational experience. We will return with a more cohesive team of civic leaders working on behalf of our community. The ICLV enhances the dynamics of community vision and problem solving.

Who knows, come December, you may see some “Texas swagger” right here in Minnesota.

Learn more about Austin’s very cool brand at http://www.downtownaustintv.org.  What would be a cool brand for the Twin Cities?

There are the obvious consequences:  uncertainty for current students (about 600) and loss of jobs for faculty and staff (130).  In a town of approximately 7,500 people, this has some significance—fiscally to the tune of about $27 million annually.  There are the physical assets now vacant.

But what about all of the personal connections people had to the college and thereby to the community?  My own connections.  It was my parents’ alma mater.  It was where I took swimming lessons, used the reference library, and saw plays on a thrust-stage (modeled after the Guthrie, of course).  As a child, I saw the Queen of Denmark on her 1976 visit and Victor Borge—in person doing his “punctuation” that most kids only saw on Sesame Street.  These memories reminded me of how a place was a powerful part of what made me who I am.

I don’t live there anymore, but I can grieve for the community and the uncertainty the loss of the college will create.  I now find myself living in a neighborhood where issues of place are also uncertain.  A new pending light rail line will determine the future of this place for years to come, and yes, it will change this place.  Exactly how remains unclear, but I do know that some will celebrate, some will fight, and some will grieve because there is, and always will be, power in place.

But in my opinion, no time of year brings this out more than tax time. My husband and I are a case in point. While I do everything in my power not to overpay taxes, I do believe that we as citizens should pay for the public good and that the most fair way is through income taxes. He, on the other hand, rants throughout the process thinking that taxes are something done to us vs. our responsibility. Unlike the shouting, placard-bearing protesters, he and I can ultimately have civil discussions about what makes for the public good and are we getting what we pay for. We rarely agree.

What’s troubling to me is not that my husband and I run the risk of perpetually canceling out each others’ votes (or can’t get our taxes done on time) but that I see fewer and fewer situations or places where people can actually engage in civil conversation bringing different points of view. “Groupthink” abounds on both sides of the aisle. “You’re either with us or against us” mentality reduces very complex issues into platitudes and sound-bytes. Increasing political polarization in Washington DC is also influencing how we view each other: particularly as voters first, citizens second.

This does not bode well for us either as a country or within our communities. Increasing political polarization is also a reflection of increasing disconnect between diverse people—whether its demographic, economic, geographic diversity and so on. Leadership in this current reality, and certainly into the future, will need focus on building or becoming the bridge among our diversity.

And, yes we will still need to pay taxes.

A little over a year ago I started my journey of creating this blog.  Long story short – my idea was to create a collaborative blog focused on our community and leadership.  I believe it takes strong leaders to make this the community we can all be proud of.  Our community faces many complex issues.  Together, we can make a difference.

I am very proud of the regular and guest contributors who have contributed to the blog.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning from each post.  I believe the blog is becoming a credible source.  The topics have been interesting and relevant.  We are hoping that we have inspired discussion and action.  We have some exciting guest contributors lined up for the coming months.

With that being said, please do me a favor.  Please do the other contributors a favor.  We would like your feedback.  It will only take a few minutes of your time.  Demonstrate your leadership skills by engaging in this discussion.  Share with us why you like the blog and any suggestions you have that would make the blog better.  Nothing would inspire us more than to hear your feedback.  Please.  Pretty please!

Transit for Livable Communities, an effective regional advocacy organization that is pushing for more transit and transportation options, recently released a map of bike route projects through Bike Walk Twin Cities.  http://bikewalktwincities.org/sites/default/files/Project_map_Sept_2009.pdf

It’s a great list of projects but when I take a look at my neighborhood in St. Paul, plus the surrounding area that makes up the whole central area, we are cut off from accessing any of the routes or biking amenities (e.g. Summit Ave, River Road, Lake Como) that can safely connect the neighborhood to some of the greatest assets of the city.  Sure, there are plenty of streets, but you take your life in your own hands when you attempt to find a route that crosses University Avenue or I-94; the only options are Snelling, Lexington, Hamline, Dale, etc.—all major arteries that are really only made for cars.  (I’ll concede Victoria and Prior as two “ok” options.)

I can’t believe that neighborhoods and communities around the metro aren’t facing some of the same challenges.  What’s most frustrating to me is that the bike route conversation seems divorced from the transit conversation, which is divorced from how pedestrians use streets and sidewalks, and so on.  In addition, we don’t seem to ever make connections between how we design and use roads for cars with how our roads could be redesigned for other modes, whether they be multi-modal or repurposed for specific modes (e.g. dedicated bus routes, bike routes).  I’m no expert on the subject but I’m afraid the richness of this type of discussion has only been relegated to the professionals.

Example #2:  Yesterday, I heard a Hennepin County Commissioner, and longtime champion of effective public transit, describe himself as an “infrastructure determinist,” which recognizes that what and where we invest in as infrastructure today will have huge implications and repercussions for how neighborhoods, cities, and the region function in the future.  With the growing interest in using more efficient forms of transportation or options that reduce our carbon footprint, lines like the Northstar Commuter rail and the new Central Corridor light rail are often profiled for the localized benefit or conflict they command.  These lines are part of a much larger, regional system that must be (and hopefully will be) developed.  However, the development of this system is not just about transportation.  It will influence the future competitiveness of our region, as talent and capital seeks accessible and livable communities.  It will also influence how well parts of the region—whether be by core urban neighborhoods or suburban communities—stay connected to the prosperity of the whole.

We’re living witnesses to what happens as a result of infrastructure investments be they perceived as positive, like the design of robust public park and parkway systems nearly 100 years ago, to those perceived as negative—e.g. the removal of whole neighborhoods for highway construction.  Perhaps our forefathers weren’t necessarily thinking in whole systems for these infrastructure investments but we have the chance to do it now.  What will be our regional legacy?

Some organizations have very strict rules for your commitment and they clearly tell you what finances, time and resources are expected from you. However at some small nonprofits the guidelines can be blurry. Primarily, at this grass roots level, they can’t define the need because the target is immediate and always moving. This can cause consternation for everyone involved.

Some natural, easy endings come when there is a change in your life around job, family or location. It is easy to explain and it makes sense for everyone involved and there is no need to justify your actions. But sometimes there isn’t an easy answer and there is a lot of stress that occurs, before someone makes a move.

In these difficult times many organizations are in a state of emergency. Staffing and funding are cut and all sources of assistance are being leveraged to the max. In addition, many individuals and families are feeling the same crisis at home. While this is the time nonprofits need the volunteers to “step it up”, the individual may be entirely tapped out and unable to give anymore.

So this is the situation I find myself in. I’ve been frustrated as my limited resources and talents do not seem to be what the organization wants, or needs. The nonprofit is disappointed because they thought they could rely on me and they expected me to stick with them through these challenges.

Both my resources and my time are scarce. I know a lot of parents are able to do it all, but honestly – I can’t. The timing couldn’t be worse for the nonprofit, but is there ever a perfect time to “break-up”?

So I did it. I said “it isn’t you, it’s me”, and I resigned. Am I deserting them when they need me most? Am I being too selfish? Did I over-promise and under deliver? Probably yes to all of the above. However, I am relieved and confident I made the right move.

What would you have done? Would you stay, or would you go?

As I approached my entry here on Leadership and Community this question got me thinking about the myriad of leadership books.  What is the leadership book that changed my life?  It’s a hard question having read a good number and probably forgetting plenty more.

There is one that always comes back to mind: Leadership on the Line:  Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading by Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky.

When I read Leadership on the Line several years ago, it was inspirational.  Heifetz and Linsky use compelling stories of leaders from all walks of life in their various walks in life to describe the challenges of courageous leadership.  However, looking back, my reading was mostly an intellectual exercise—almost as an observer of leaders and acts of leadership.  It was the first time I had heard the metaphor “getting on the balcony” which almost seems commonplace in organizational management and leadership circles today.  And yet, still a hard thing to often do.

Heifetz and Linsky astutely point out that with courageous leadership and adaptive change comes conflict and loss.  Now, as an organizational leader, I recognize and appreciate the depth of these two emotions, which are certainly heightened as our organizations, levels of government, and communities struggle with change presented by our economic, social and political realities.  A time that calls for courageous leaders and adaptive leadership at all levels.

Did Leadership on the Line change my life?  That might be a high bar for a leadership book to vault, but it has become one to read and re-read. (Their latest The Practice of Adaptive Leadership is also in my cue.)  I would suspect others come to mind for you and much as they do me, such as John Gardner’s On Leadership, Jim Collins’ Good to Great or Margaret Wheatley’s Leadership and the New Science, and the list goes on.

Let’s get a dialogue going about our bookshelves.  Share your answers:  what leadership book changed your life?

Last week, more than 80 percent of our television viewing market tuned in to watch the Minnesota Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys. Three coworkers of mine, who are not sports fans, watched at least part of that game.  I’m guessing that last night’s market share was even higher, as once again, the Vikings lost a big game at night. We’ll revel in rehashing the game for months, agonizing over the turnovers and chastising the bad calls by the refs.  But, next August, we’ll be right back cheering on our men in purple. In April, we’ll watch as the Twins take the field in a beautiful new outdoor park, built just for them. The Vikings are stepping up the demands for a new stadium. At a time when there is so much unmet need, how can a community justify helping fund a new stadium?

Sports; the arts; the environment.  These three things bring Minnesotans together, again and again.  Yes, times are tough.  We face an upcoming legislative session where none of the answers will be easy and in which we have many gaps to fill for our poorest citizens.  So, why fiddle while Rome burns? Why even start a discussion about funding a new Viking stadium.

Because life is short and a community needs to play, just as much as we need to live, work and learn. Especially during tough times, we need the chance to pull together. And sports teams give us a reason to pull together.

I work for a nonprofit organization — Courage Center — which includes  the words live, work, learn and play in its vision statement.  For people with disabilities, play often is the thing that helps transcend physical challenges. The joy of competition, of being part of a team, of winning and losing, combine to make life larger and more fulfilling. Watching professional sports can bring a community together: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Green Party — to cheer on our local teams.

Not everyone watches sports, but we do benefit from being a community that values the arts, entertainment and sports.  When a new business contemplates where to build its headquarters, when families research communities they’d like to move to, there are many factors to consider: the business environment, the educational level of the workforce, the public schools, crime and housing.  But, all those being equal, the intangibles can make the difference.  Theater, music, art galleries, restaurants, and yes, professional sports, make a difference.

To the Minnesota Vikings leadership, I encourage you to use the example of the Minnesota Twins as you negotiate a new stadium deal.  The Twins engaged the community to build a field that is a new standard for accessibility for people with disabilities.  And, the tax that many people grumbled about has a community benefit:  beginning Feb. 8, the Minneapolis Central Library will open its doors again on Mondays, for the first time since December 2006.

There is a way to work together, to find a win-win solution for the Vikings and the community.  We just need to figure it out.  Whether or not Brett Favre plays another year, the Vikings are a part of our community.  Let’s not diminish the important role that people at play brings to a well-rounded community life.

These are just a few of the reasons why people leave organizational life and strike out on their own. But one of the top reasons why people stay tethered to organizational life is the community of colleagues that come built-in with an organizationally-based position. (And employer-provided health insurance, of course.)

Well, that may have changed as the concept of coworking hits the Twin Cities. Coworking is geared toward those professionals who work independently from home but who benefit from social interaction with a community of like-minded individuals in a shared work space. A person buys a membership based upon her needs. The coworking site has amenities such as WI-FI, conference space, kitchen area, and work spaces.

I had the opportunity to visit The Third Place recently, started by Josh Becerra, local social entrepreneur, and some of his friends. The Third Place is located on Como Avenue in St. Paul and is billed as “not home, not work, but a third place where entrepreneurs, creatives, and independent professionals congregate and collaborate.” It is no Class-A space, but it is open, airy and had a good vibe about it. I could get a lot done there.

As more and more people start businesses in this recessionary era, coworking sites may be the workplace of the future.

The Overnight Website Challenge brings together professional web developers with Minnesota non-profits to design and create a new website for the non-profit organization in 24 hours.  This is an amazing opportunity for non-profits to get over 200 hours of web development done for free and for the developers to get additional experience while having fun.  The challenge has a huge impact on everyone involved because it helps build community and gets more young professionals involved.

The reason I am writing about this event on these pages is that it completely exemplifies the type of out of the box thinking that we hope to trigger in our readers.  This event creates new opportunitiesto get people involved in their community while building both leadership and professional skills.  We always need to keep thinking of new ways to engage people and also share the great work non-profits are undertaking throughout the community.

This year’s event takes place March 20 – 21, 2010 and is actually the 3rd time this challenge has been run.  The format of the challenge starts with individuals coming together to form teams of ten and then these teams are paired up with a non-profit organizations.  Then, on the appointed day, everyone gathers and has 24 hours to design and build the website before the judges come around to determine who wins the competition.

Looking back at some of the past successes you can easily tell the competition is fierce and everyone is trying to win.  One of the organization that benefitted from the challenge last year was Students Today Leaders Forever (a truly amazing non-profit!).  Take a look at the recap which including a look at what the original site looked like and then what the team developed — http://blog.nerdery.com/2009/04/students-today-leaders-forever-like-jet-fuel-at-overnight-website-challenge/

The deadline for this year is approaching very quickly or has already past depending on when you are reading this post.  Even if you missed the challenge this year please share this story and links with non-profits that you know, maybe they will be able to get involved next year!  I applaud the work of Sierra Bravo and all of the volunteer who take time to make a true difference for these non-profits.  May this year’s challenge be even more amazing and I look forward to many more years of challenges to come.

DEADLINE: Non-Profits need to sign up by January 8th & Volunteers need to form teams by January 18th.