Leadership Perspective: The Importance of Executives Experiencing Life in Their Community's Footsteps
Leadership Perspective: The Importance of Executives Experiencing Life in Their Community's Footsteps
I've been pondering over my experiences as a mentor for quite some time now. Whether through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or mentorship programs at my college, mentoring can be a two-way street. It allows me to give back to my community and assist a young person in achieving success, but it also highlights the disparities between various communities across the nation.
The opportunity to establish connections and nurture relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds can be highly meaningful for volunteers. This is also relevant in the corporate world. Despite our differences as executives, it becomes even more crucial to connect and comprehend the challenges and opportunities facing our customers.
I think the solution for business leaders wanting to enhance their customer understanding is to become actively involved in their communities. It's a rewarding experience that also helps them empathize with others' struggles more fully. This is particularly true for insurers who frequently encounter difficult situations, such as when a family is dealing with loss or grappling with debt and pressure to protect their home or other assets.
This is why business leaders should emphasize their volunteering and motivate their executive teams to participate in community activities as well.
Evolution of Community Involvement
Unfortunately, formal volunteering in the U.S. is experiencing a crisis in 2024. During the Points of Light Conference, nonprofit leaders discussed methods to tackle the current 30-year low in national volunteering. Their suggestions, apart from emphasizing flexible volunteering choices, included young generations viewing volunteering differently. They find it challenging to focus on local issues due to constant exposure to global crises, resulting in feelings of helplessness.
One solution: set an example. Charitable donations will always be essential, but they're not enough to uplift communities in the U.S. Volunteerism and active engagement are crucial and have even been shown to improve a volunteer's mental health.
Encouraging Your Team
For top-level executives, we need to lead by action. By committing our time, we inspire our teams to follow suit.
To guarantee senior-level participation, I encourage and support members of our executive team to join a board or participate in at least one community organization with a cause they're personally invested in. We also discuss the importance of selecting organizations located in our home city, Madison, Wisconsin, where TruStage is headquartered. Being close to our headquarters makes group volunteering more manageable, and we've found that volunteering together enhances team unity and strength.
Community involvement has positive effects within companies as well. According to a recent Galaxy Digital analysis, increased volunteering within organizations leads to more engaged employees, with those participating in employer-sponsored volunteering activities reporting they're five times more engaged at work.
Elevating Our Communities Through Engagement
By prioritizing community engagement and setting an example, business leaders can make a significant impact in their communities and cultivate a more engaged and productive workforce. Let's commit to going beyond donations and becoming active partners in our communities' revitalization. Together, we can foster a stronger and more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.
Our Business Council is the premier networking and growth organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Terrence Williams, a business leader, strongly advocates for community involvement and encourages his executive team to participate in local organizations. His commitment to volunteering has not only improved his mental health but also boosted the engagement of his employees, making them five times more invested in their work.
Given your interest in community engagement and leadership, Terrence Williams from Our Business Council would likely find you an excellent fit for their organization.