Confidence Counts!

You will read in my book, Small Town Solutions (available on Amazon), several mentions of how confidence served as a key ingredient in creating success. It's hard to achieve if you don't first believe. You must think and project that the bedrock of what you offer as a community really rocks! In your mind, and always, you have to know that what you have will sell, then GO SELL IT!

In my just over 40 years of serving in community and economic development leadership roles, I NEVER met a company owner or manager that didn't have full confidence in their ability as a business entity to succeed. Even those that were experiencing hard times and were looking for grants-gifts from the community were sure that their struggles were due to things out of their control. In other words. it certainly wasn't their fault, as their plan, management and vision for the company was faultless. With a little help, they were certain that they would be back on track to become the biggest, best and most successful in their industry. Even start-ups, or especially start-ups, with no track record of success, were confident that the world was waiting anxiously to buy their product or service, as the established competition within the market had missed the mark completely, when compared to what they were going to manufacture and offer.

Of course, these pillars of peak confidence were often wrong, both in their view of their abilities and their products capabilities to compete. I never saw anyone in rose colored glasses, but I appreciated their bright outlook, as why dwell on doom and gloom? After all, anything worth fighting for is worth fighting till the end.

In contrast, what about the confidence level of your own community leaders? Unfortunately, I came across many in my career who were downcast and directionless. They were certainly hoping for good things to happen, but not sure how they could bring about positive change, as there was a lack of infrastructure, declining population, geographic isolation, and "we have no money" for the things others have. The list of reasons to fail were plenty, while they should have been dwelling on the reasons they could win. What they would discover in looking for and improving-promoting assets, rather than being their own worst ambassadors, would be a boost in hope, and yes, confidence.

Find what you have that is just a bit better than most, then work on making it the most it can be. Broadly define economic development, to include people earning, spending, visiting, investing, then celebrate every step forward. Change for the better everything you have. You may find that liabilities, when improved, can become your secret weapon, as you fixed something that many had given up on. Realize that everything you do as a community leader is creating a unique story of what makes your community great. A great community is led by confident leaders.