Last week, Allegacy Center for Leadership and Character (ACLC) scholars met for their first enrichment session of the year, “Leading the Self and Political Leadership,” with special guest Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. ACLC Executive Director Pat Sweeney and Executive Affiliate Pete Watson were also in attendance.
As the students work to develop themselves as leaders of character, they listened as the Mayor discussed what it takes to lead and influence multiple stakeholders with different agendas, embrace a vision, and work as a team for the good of the city.
Qualities such as active listening, authenticity, and integrity were described as being essential to effective leadership. In the Mayor’s role, these traits are exemplified as cities and communities work together.
Scholar Huda Saed recalls the Mayor stating that, “it is crucial to stay grounded in
those values, especially when facing backlash. He spoke about the need to remain focused on your mission as a leader and to prioritize what is truly best for the community over what might be immediately easy or popular.”
According to Scholar Callie Dammeyer, Mayor Joines “highlighted the importance of making decisions that reflect your values and purpose.”
Working together, receiving feedback, and being open to suggestions is also critical, according to Joines. He shared that he is currently using town hall and community meetings to discuss ways to combat teen violence in the city.
Scholar Sailor Troutman says, “I really appreciated what he shared about how cities and communities work together. When I mentioned being in Asheville during Hurricane Helene, he talked about how their city supported Asheville’s recovery efforts and how, in turn, other cities have stepped up to help them when needed. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration and mutual support.”
Mayor Joines’s examples of collaboration and staying grounded in one’s mission—even when facing adversity—reinforced the mission of the ACLC, which is to equip its scholars with the skills needed to lead well and ethically, even through adversity.