As a leader how do you build a sense of connection and belonging when you lead a community that is diverse and has many differing opinions? How do you tend to your personal relationships and make sure that your heart does not become callus when there are so many issues pulling at you in different directions?

Today’s guest, Deke Copenhaver served the city of Augusta as its mayor for nine years. He is now passionate about helping other leaders connect better with those that they serve and make real change through their leadership.

Connect with Deke: https://deke-copenhaver.com/

FROM TODAY’S EPISODE:

• What does connection require of us as leaders?
• How do you stay emotionally stable while leading so many people?
• Boundaries, relationships, and self-care for leaders

WHO IS DEKE COPENHAVER?

When Deke Copenhaver took over as mayor of his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, the city’s politics were broken and riven along racial lines. Half of the city commissioners were white, half were African American. Neither group trusted the other, so nothing got done.

And who was it that paid the price for all of the political posturings? The citizens of Augusta. As Deke saw it, something fundamental about leadership needed to change. So, when the opportunity arrived in 2005, Deke knew he had to run for office. Against all reasonable odds, Deke and a band of enthusiastic twenty- and thirty-somethings who knew little about running a political campaign won the election. He had his first commissioners meeting as mayor on December 20th, 2005, and began the work of being a Changemaker.

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