Lesson 3: Build Leadership, Strategic Thinking, And Alliances

Rural leadership roles are more difficult than corresponding ones in larger communities, thinks John Mengenhausen, CEO of Horizon Health Care, based in Miner County . “You’ve got to have a tough skin if you want to lead in a small community,” he says. “When many people know one another personally, all too often they look at a project and ask, who’s going to benefit? And if it’s the leader, even indirectly, there’s resentment.”

But those vulnerable leaders can be somewhat protected by keeping revitalization strategic rather than personal, John believes. He sees the strategic process as a cycle: gathering community ideas, illuminating the big picture, setting long-term goals, putting staff and volunteers to work, and then publicizing and celebrating accomplishments. “The public feels informed and it sees progress,” John observes.

“The people most likely to say they don’t feel involved, unless there’s a crisis, seem to be those living outside the town limits,” John says. “They’re very much a part of the community, but they may not feel like it unless leaders make a special effort to involve them.”

Just as those living outside town limits can benefit by aligning themselves with in-town neighbors, any community entity will benefit by forming alliances that extend beyond the locality. “That’s true whether you’re a medical clinic or a hardware store,” says John. “And sometimes organizations in rural communities have an advantage in forming alliances because we’re not seen as competition. Horizon, as an example, works well with both of South Dakota ’s big health care providers. In the thinking of both of those systems, we’re in areas they don’t want to be, because of small population numbers.”

Nonetheless, when forming alliances, there’s reason to be wary. “It can get ugly if you encounter an organization where it’s about money only,” John warns. There have been cases when pharmacy chains, for example, have bought up local drugstores only to close them to drive customers to their larger outlets.

It all adds up to leaders who must keep lots of plates spinning, even in the smallest communities and even when a good strategic process keeps them somewhat insulated from second guessing. “Leaders burn out,” says John. “You have to expect it, but by keeping people involved you’ll find new leadership already sitting at the table.”

Miner County Lessons

Lesson 3: Build Leadership, Strategic Thinking, And Alliances