This post is the first in an ongoing series, “Moving the Needle on Poverty” that examines the nature of and potential solutions to poverty in the urban context of Greater Savannah, GA.

Trust in government action is an integral part of American government, particularly at the local level. Our country was founded on the idea that all governmental powers come from “the consent of the governed” and any amount of consent requires a level of trust.

According to the United States Marine Corps, leadership is defined as “the art of influencing others in such a manner to accomplish the mission.” This definition of leadership was expounded upon by General John Lejeune, the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

This truth is fleshed out in the fact that studies have repeatedly shown that employees often cite communication issues with their manager as one of the top reasons for workplace dissatisfaction. Very often, leaders make the dangerously incorrect assumption that their employees have the same understanding of what needs to be done, how it needs to be done.

Negativity is a cancer that will impact all aspects of an organization, from day-to-day operations to the organizations ability to recruit and retain quality employees. Like a cancer, left unchecked, it will spread throughout the organization.

Any organization must make good use of small teams to effectively and efficiently achieve their organizational goals. This is equally true across the board, in ANY and EVERY organization. These teams go by different names in various contexts: squad or fire team in the military, engine company in the fire service, or project team in business.

I think we can all agree on the importance of planning. Good plans are what help move us from where we are toward where we want to be. Planning often means making changes and change is always a difficult process that requires time and buy-in from all members of the organization.

I have spent time leading teams in various contexts for most of my life and I have learned that there are some principles that cross all contextual lines. Regardless if you are leading in sports, business, government, church, or wherever.

There have been some strong words lately about the great need for change in our country and who’s fault it is we are struggling. From the recent events in Charlottesville, VA it has become apparent that a large group of (white) believe that people of color, especially immigrants, are the cause of the woes that they face in their lives.