ED Now

When we commit to living a life of positive influence—as we do in the economic development profession—we can end each day knowing we’ve changed someone’s life for the better. Still, even the most veteran among us could benefit from tips on how to maximize our potential for influencing others. In his book “The Gift of Influence: Creating Life-Changing and Lasting Impact in Your Everyday Interactions,” Tommy Spaulding explains that living a life of positive influence boils down to three key everyday behaviors: showing interest, investing in others, and being intentional.

In recent years, our economic development profession, organizations, and the communities we serve have faced seemingly unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. What makes leaders effective in turbulent times? In his book Leadership Reinvented, Hamza Khan points to four strategies: practicing empathy, exercising servitude, driving diversity, and sparking innovation. According to Khan, such leadership is the art of continuous reinvention.