Empathy for Citrus County leaders

There was a time in my Chronicle career that the powers decided I should have some authority.

As managing editor for news, I helped direct reporters in writing local stories. While I appreciated the oversight of news coverage, the job just wasn’t for me.

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For one thing, I enjoy reporting/writing too much to remove me from that.

Worse, though, I was just horrible at it. A terrible leader of people. While I had a decent grasp of journalism and Citrus County’s news needs, I had no clue how to motivate reporters.

We did a lot of great reporting during that time, but no one was happy.

Those memories sloshed through my mind Thursday as I sat at the Crystal River Church of God CR campus, which is the local host of the Global Leadership Summit.

In its 29th year, the Global Leadership Summit comes from the Willow Creek Church near Chicago. The two-day event is broadcast live around the world to host sites, and about 50 or so Citrus County business, community and government representatives signed up.

I’m in a strange and unusual circumstance. I own a single-employee business that starts conversations by writing about topics of local interest. In doing so, we capture the attention of decision-makers and help guide the community’s direction.

This is both a “we” and “me” arrangement.

For it to work successfully, trust is key.

Craig Groeschel, the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church who kicked off the summit, talked about trust and how it’s lacking with leaders these days.

Politicians, the media, business organizations, some large charities — the public has a general disdain for them though no one seems to know why. Institutions that were deemed trustworthy 40 years ago — TV news, Congress, the presidency — all find disfavor with large swaths of the public today.

For leaders, this is a problem. Folks are barking at the U.S. president today. It could be the Rotary president tomorrow. Leaders are finding distrust and antagonism on many fronts.

So, how to combat it, that’s the issue. How do leaders convey trust and camaraderie in their organizations?

Groeschel said it came down to three attributes: transparency, empathy and consistency. The leader who is successful at all three likely has earned with highly motivated, successful and enthusiastic people.

From a Just Wright Citrus standpoint, let’s look at all three. 

— Transparency. I’d like to think we’re pretty transparent here. I’ve been open about my personal and professional life, and I try to keep readers in the loop about what we’re doing and why.

Readers feel comfortable reaching out to me with specific questions or suggestions. They usually make sense and often wind up in a blog.

When I make mistakes — made one in Thursday’s blog — I correct it with a note. I’d say, overall, Just Wright Citrus is transparent.

— Empathy. I could use some work in this arena. I can get caught up in politics very easily and forget that it’s real people out there. 

Elected folks, county commissioners especially, are under tremendous pressure. Every time land gets cleared for a building or another zoning application comes in for a housing development, the pressure builds. At no time in my 36 years in Citrus County has the job of commissioner been more challenging.

But, boy, I easily lose sight of that while pounding the table with my opinion.

— Consistency. I think we’re good there. I’d be surprised if someone said Just Wright Citrus isn’t consistent. You can rely on this blog arriving on Facebook each weekday morning at 6 and that the topic will be something of a Citrus County or Florida flavor. 

We’re also consistent with the demeanor of comments. We said from the start this would be a safe site for comments without labels, insults, innuendoes and the like. I’ve deleted many comments that didn’t reach that standard; a small number of readers, I’m guessing four or five, have been blocked.

We move the needle politically if Just Wright Citrus is transparent, empathetic, and consistent. I’d like to know your thoughts. Are we hitting that mark or falling short?

Leaders don’t have titles. They have names. They’re you and me. Citrus County, thankfully, has no shortage of us.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.