Demonstrate respect and develop meaningful connections with individuals

Art in the Park

As a Program Assistant, I have realized that the only way to make meaningful connections with the individuals of my community is with respect and love. This is not as simple as the point-blank statements, "I respect you as a person" or "I care about you as a person", because the rhetoric cannot be considered genuine without demonstration and proof to show the individual that your words have meaning. Even if someone believes you when you say that you respect them, that belief will not become conviction unless they can see the demonstration of respect in your words, behavior, and attitude. My understanding about what it means to be a strong leader and role model has grown with my realization that your position is authenticated through connecting what you say with what you do and how you act. Respect is vital for having a meaningful role of leadership in the community, but what seems to be even more important for translating a meaningful role into a more influential role requires consistency and demonstration.

Saturday Market

I really felt empowered as a leader this year because of the meaningful connections that I was able to make with everyone on the individual level. My stronger sphere of influence has been in smaller group settings and one-on-one conversations. The small group adventures in the beginning of the year helped me build a solid foundation with my residents on the personal level, which allowed me to more effectively network everyone together in the broader process of community building. Building meaningful connections through respect helped build a meaningful community based on respect.
--- Jesse Martin, AHRC