Collaborative Leadership for Poverty Reduction: How Does It Work?

Abstract

Despite national efforts to address poverty, it remains a significant challenge in the United States. This study focuses on leadership strategies employed by civic organizations in a state in the southeastern United States to address poverty. Using a qualitative approach, the research explores how leadership influences poverty reduction. It studies the systemic barriers, organizational dynamics, and leadership approaches that can be most effective in addressing poverty within a state in the southeastern United States. Interviews with 14 representatives from various civic organizations reveal three key themes: poverty as a systemic challenge, participatory leadership, and humble leadership as a way forward. Findings suggest that effective poverty reduction requires collaborative efforts, active listening, selflessness, empathy, and community-driven leadership. These insights contribute to understanding how leadership can be leveraged to address complex social issues of poverty and provide a framework for applying these strategies in similar contexts.