Read 2 Lead Helps Build Economic Diversity in SoMD

Over the past month there have been several entries in the editorial section of The Enterprise discussing the need for economic diversity in Southern Maryland.  (“Concrete steps to diversify economy”, 1 May, “Higher Ed center encouraging economic diversity and workforce development”, 22 May, “Goals to keep community economically strong”, 5 June.)  This region is facing a wonderful opportunity.  Taking advantage of this opportunity is key and it won’t happen without leadership.  Many leaders are already involved and taking action however; there are opportunities for more community members to get involved.  Leaders exist throughout our Southern Maryland community.  Don’t think of yourself as a leader?  Think again!  Leadership is not defined by a position.  A leader may or may not have any formal authority.

To learn more about leadership, and to exchange ideas with others, we invite you to participate in Southern Maryland’s new Leadership Book Club, Read 2 Lead.  We established this book club with the aim of starting a conversation about leadership. The club is designed to explore and grow leadership capabilities through discussion of literature in the field.  The club is supported by the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center and Leadership Southern Maryland.  Membership is open to the public.

Read 2 Lead provides learning opportunities for those seeking to enhance their leadership skills and a forum for leadership dialog.  Education is paramount in leading change and transformation.  As we strive to create economic diversity in Southern Maryland, as Glen Ives wrote, “now is the not the time to sit idly, worry, and hope for the best.  This is the time to intelligently invest in our future like so many proactive communities around the country are already doing”. (“Goals to keep community economically strong”, 5 June.)  The next Read 2 Lead meeting will be held 20 June 2013 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center.   We will discuss the book Startup Communities- Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City by Brad Feld.   The books author, Brad Feld, has over twenty years of Boulder, CO based entrepreneur-turned-venture-capitalist experience.  Join us to discuss what it takes to create a sustainable startup community. 

The group setting lends itself to developing actionable ways to practice what we learn. Please come – you will learn even if you have not read the book.  For more information, visit Read 2 Lead at  www.facebook.com/somd.read2lead, participate in our LinkedIn group, Read 2 Lead http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Read-2-Lead-4674375?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr, or email somd.read2lead@gmail.com.

Emily Harman, California

Kim Mozingo, Charlotte Hall