LEADERSHIP Philadelphia, the first community leadership organization in the country, marks its 50th anniversary in 2009. To celebrate that milestone, LEADERSHIP Philadelphia launched a research study in 2006 to facilitate a conversation about leadership and connection in the Philadelphia region. This month we are taking the next step: looking for the next generation of connectors.

 

What: The Connector Project
Launched by LEADERSHIP Philadelphia to:

  • Jump start a conversation about good leadership in greater Philadelphia
  • Identify area leaders across sectors who exemplify trusted leadership
  • Interview these leaders in order to study what makes them successful
  • Develop a curriculum based on the leaders’ competencies
  • Launch the curriculum in Philadelphia-area school systems
  • Convene and connect these leaders

Who: Trusted Leaders
101 Philadelphia-area leaders who:

  • May or may not already be in the public eye
  • Know how to get things done
  • Demonstrate concern for the “common good” in actions and attitudes
  • Are trusted by their fellow citizens

How: NetForm Technology
Netform Technology – Ground-breaking technology developed and pioneered by cultural anthropologist, Karen Stephenson - analyzed the thousands of names submitted by Philadelphia-area citizens and mapped leadership “trust” networks in the Philadelphia region for the first round:

  • Gathered 4,300 nominations of trusted leaders with the help of area media
  • Names (and email addresses) came from varied sources, including LEADERSHIP Philadelphia alumni, names submitted by public via non-paid media outreach, and through email hubs (e.g., Urban League, Chamber of Commerce, PA. Economy League, Young Involved Philadelphians).
  • All people named as trusted leaders were invited to answer a series of questions about “trusted leadership” in order to figure out what they do to get things done and consider common good
  • Outcomes included a competency model, a “map” of trusted leaders – a type of high-level MRI of connection and leadership in the area, and a youth connector curriculum, developed with Philadelphia Youth Network (current pilot 100 students)

When: Round II

  • Nomination solicitation: April/May 2008
  • Connector survey, interviews, and analysis conducted July– September 2008
  • Netform analysis of next generation connectors in October 2008
  • Results made public in October

Where: Geographic Scope of Study
Leaders are sought from the nine-county Philadelphia area:

  • Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties
  • New Jersey: Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem counties

Why: Overarching Goals

  • To shine a light on a type of leader who works across sectors for the common good, and create a curriculum to teach this to adults and adolescents. Building connections strengthens the economy. This effort is being undertaken to celebrate LEADERSHIP’s 50th anniversary in 2009. Results will be shared with similar organizations throughout the country.