Are you an older Victorian interested in taking on a leadership role in your community? This resource outlines practical first steps to help you get started.
What is community leadership?
Community leadership takes many forms. It might mean being part of a structure such as a management committee, or it can be more informal. You might represent others, champion a cause, or simply use your personal influence to bring people together around issues you care about.
You might contribute to community leadership by:
- championing change in policies and services,
- coordinating or activating volunteers,
- running a business or social venture that creates new opportunities, or
- promoting ideas to influence social purpose outcomes.
Finding your starting point
There is no single pathway into leadership later in life. You might transition smoothly from a long career into a voluntary role in the same field, valued for your experience and insight, or you may choose to explore completely new areas connected to your interests, hobbies, or emerging concerns.
Your leadership journey may begin by engaging with existing groups, including online communities, and getting involved in a cause that matters to you. Your starting point could be shaped by your lived experience, your identity as an older person, or your desire to be an active ally supporting others.
Take time to learn about the issues currently at play, listen to other people’s stories, identify role models of effective leaders, or volunteer with relevant cause-based organisations.
Understanding leadership roles
Before stepping into a leadership position, make sure you’re clear about what the role involves and what will be expected of you. Some roles
offer written position descriptions; others allow more flexibility for you to shape your contribution.
Helpful questions to ask include:
- Who will I be working with, and what support is available?
- What responsibilities will I be accountable for?
- Will I represent others, or just myself?
- Are there risks or potential legal liabilities?
It can be useful to speak to people who have played the role before you and to chat to a range of key stakeholders about their expectations.
Identifying your skills and support needs
As an older leader, you bring rich experience, skills, and perspectives that will be highly valued. At the same time, you may need to adapt to new environments, technologies, and ways of operating. This might relate to being in the community sector rather than in business or different group decision-making processes.
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and consider what training you might need. This could be about public speaking, use of social media, developing networks, dealing with conflict, and other soft (character traits like communication and problem-solving) and hard (teachable, specific abilities like coding or accounting) skills.
In putting yourself forward for leadership, be assertive about the value you bring but also your personal support needs. While most people will appreciate your contribution, be prepared to combat any bias or negative response including where that stems from ageism.
Finally, don’t be shy or hold back – have a go and enjoy the many rewards of exercising leadership as an older member of the community.