Everyone needs to get involved in their community, especially
business owners/leaders. No business operates in complete isolation from its surroundings. You will want a friendly and cooperative relationship with your local
public officials and
community leaders. You will also want your employees to feel like they live in a place with a decent
quality of life. Maintaining a connection with and concern for your local environment is a sound business decision.
I’ve been fortunate through the years to live in areas with a vibrant downtown and engaged business community. In my experience, these two issues are far from
mutually exclusive. Some things in life aren’t all that complicated. Good things tend to happen when talented, capable people work toward a common goal. It’s comforting to show up at charity and/or community events and see that the business community is always well represented. You end up seeing many of the same people and feeling a shared bond with them.
The Benefits of Getting Involved Locally
Many positive things happen when you get involved locally. You’ll meet and connect with like-minded people. You’ll get to make a tangible positive difference in what happens around you. You’ll ensure your voice is heard on topics that matter to you. You’ll stay up to date on key community developments.
You’ll boost the local perception of your business and personal brand. You’ll be a
role model for your children regarding the importance of volunteering and charitable giving. You’ll feel better about yourself and become a part of the solution, not the problem.
Avoid Overcommitting and Prioritize
My sole recommendation is to avoid overcommitting. Once you get involved, the opportunities will multiply, and you must prioritize and focus your efforts. Focusing on depth, not breadth, regarding your volunteering and philanthropic activities is always preferable. Selecting a few issues and striving to make a significant impact is more crucial than merely addressing many topics.
Leadership is always about results, not just activities. You want to be known as someone in your community who cares, engages, commits, and delivers.
