Developing Effective Leaders

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Developing Effective Leaders

• Managing Controversial Public IssuesSolve a
  Problem or Create a Riot

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In this session, you will learn to

• Identify elements of a community issue.
• Distinguish between myths, facts, values.
• Appreciate importance of naming issues.
• Understand the elements of issue framing.
• Understand alternatives and consequences.
• Recognize styles of issue resolution.
• Identify roles that leaders can perform.

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Elements of Public Issue

• Is the problem a problem or a solution being
  promoted?
• Is there controversy?
• Is it a public problem?
• What are the multiple sides to the issue?
• Can public discussion offer a solution?
• Are people ready to discuss? Is there a window
  of opportunity for resolution?
• Are there resources for resolution?
• Are you willing able to be neutral and
  objective?

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Potential Controversy

• Quality of life/standard of living
• Personal health/safety
• Environmental risk
• Justice/equality
• Role of government

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The Public Decision-Making Process
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Activity Who Gets the Heart?
22-year-old Brazilian soccer star
37-year old single mother on welfare
53-year-old Nobel Prize winning scientist on the
verge of discovering a cure for Heart Disease
66-year-old retired woman with 17 grandchildren
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Approaches to Problem Solving

• Pro vs. Con
• Divisive and destructive
• Alternatives and Consequences
• Cohesive and constructive

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Styles of Issue ResolutionTraditional Issue
Based

• Principles
• Assumptions
• Steps
• Techniques

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Styles of Issue Resolution- PRINCIPLES -
Traditional Issue-based
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Styles of Issue Resolution- ASSUMPTIONS -
Traditional Issue-based
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Styles of Issue Resolution- STEPS -
Traditional Issue-based
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Styles of Issue Resolution- TECHNIQUES -
Traditional Issue-based
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Naming the Issue

• Reflect peoples concerns
• Use public terms
• Reflect different perspectives and experiences

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Naming the Issue Examples

• Divisive
• Public School Consolidation
• Government Health Care
• Abortion Family Planning

• Cohesive
• Improving Educational Opportunities for Public
  School Youth
• Improving Access to Health Care
• Preventing Teen Pregnancy

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Framing an Issuefor Public Decision Making

• Pulling together peoples concerns and
  perspectives on an issue to create a framework in
  which the community can make choices about how to
  act.

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Issue Frameworks

• Frameworks can be used in many ways
• Articles in newspapers and on web sites
• Public deliberative forums
• Town hall meetings
• Brochures, flyers and handouts
• Speeches and public commentary
• Media interviews

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Context for Framing Issues

• Be sensitive to
• Perceived concerns
• Stakeholders
• Include affected groups when working to frame the
  issue.

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Goals for Issue Framing

• Making choices
• Understanding underlying concerns
• Common ground
• Meaningful engagement
• Understanding without oversimplifying
• Citizen empowerment
• Problem-solving skills
• Improving the quality of public talk
• Broad range of views

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Steps in Issue Framing

• Identify the issue
• Research the issue
• Name the issue in public terms
• Identify concerns
• Identify possible actions
• Cluster actions into policy directions
• Identify alternatives and consequences
• Identify potential trade-offs

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Attributes of a Successful Issue Framework

• Based on a problem suitable for public
  deliberation and decision making.
• Reflects input from a wide range of community
  perspectives.
• Uses tension/dilemmas to stimulate thoughtful
  consideration of policy approaches.

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Roles for Community Leaders

• Forecaster or Futurist
• Advisor or Consultant
• Framework Developer
• Facilitator
• Information Provider
• Project Developer

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Top 10 Actions forSolving Public Problems

1. Tell it like it is
2. Be available
3. Offer predictions to challenge peoples thinking
4. Admit mistakes
5. Trust the people
6. Get acquainted with other leaders
7. Capture the teachable moment
8. Do your homework
9. Work within the system
10. Be objective

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Final Thought
Youre either part of the solution or part of
the problem. Eldridge Cleaver