Summary

In this episode of the We The Community podcast, Amanda Zahorak interviews Dexter Mason, the executive director of the Change Collective. They discuss Dexter's journey to leadership, the mission of the Change Collective, and the importance of investing in local leaders. The conversation highlights the significance of community engagement, the selection process for changemakers, and the curriculum designed for local leaders. Dexter shares insights on humility in leadership, the role of local solutions in addressing societal issues, and the importance of building diverse networks. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions about leadership inspirations and future aspirations.

Takeaways

• Dexter Mason emphasizes the intertwining of service and leadership.
• The Change Collective aims to redefine civic life in the 21st century.
• Investing in local leaders is crucial for long-term systemic change.
• Local leadership impacts daily life significantly.
• The selection process for the Change Collective values diverse experiences.
• Curriculum for local leaders includes both hard and soft skills.
• Humility is essential in leadership roles.
• Building community is vital for changemakers.
• Ego can hinder effective leadership and collaboration.
• Hope for the future lies in the next generations' commitment to change.

Chapters

00:00 Dexter's Journey to Leadership 04:57 The Change Collective: Mission and Vision 07:40 Career Path and Finding Change Collective 14:52 Advice on Career Paths and Change Making 18:36 Investing in Local Leaders 22:14 The Importance of Local Politics 24:52 Getting Involved Locally 26:41 The Change Collective Selection Process 31:41 Diversity in Leadership and Community Building 35:07 Curriculum for Local Leaders 39:48 The Importance of Local Solutions 45:02 Gatekeepers in Community Politics 53:06 Networking with Community Gatekeepers 01:01:13 Promoting a Flexible Work Culture 01:02:31 The Importance of Transparency in Leadership 01:03:18 Ego and Leadership: A Stoic Perspective 01:05:54 Working Across the Aisle: Checking Ego for Collaboration 01:07:40 Pathways to Public Office: From Local Change Makers to Leaders 01:11:09 Finding Community: Overcoming Loneliness in Activism 01:12:48 Inspiring Leaders: Role Models in Public Service 01:14:29 Future Aspirations: Balancing Change Making and Personal Dreams 01:16:36 Staying Hopeful: Humanity's Capacity for Positive Change 01:18:25 Connecting with Change Collective: Opportunities for Engagement 01:22:54 Introduction to We The Community Podcast

Links:

Learn More about Change Collective

Read King: A Life