'Knowing me, knowing you': Exploring the effects of a rural leadership program on community resilience

Rural leadership programs have proliferated in the past fifteen years in countries, including Australia. Whilst most programs have focused on transactional leadership which aims to develop individual leaders, increased attention is being paid to transformational approaches to leadership which aim to enhance social networks, cohesiveness and civic activity within communities. In this way, leadership can enhance community resilience. This article uses interpretive case study methodology to evaluate a rural leadership program in Central Queensland, Australia. Two key themes, self-development and building social capital, illustrate how leadership programs can contribute to the development of community resilience.The article provides greater insight into the importance of leadership as a community responsibility rather than leadership as a narrow set of skills and highlights the need for such approaches to be transformative in the way they contribute to both individual and community wellbeing.Rural leadership programs have proliferated in the past fifteen years in countries, including Australia. Whilst most programs have focused on transactional leadership which aims to develop individual leaders, increased attention is being paid to transformational approaches to leadership which aim to enhance social networks, cohesiveness and civic activity within communities. In this way, leadership can enhance community resilience. This article uses interpretive case study methodology to evaluate a rural leadership program in Central Queensland, Australia. Two key themes, self-development and building social capital, illustrate how leadership programs can contribute to the development of community resilience.The article provides greater insight into the importance of leadership as a community responsibility rather than leadership as a narrow set of skills and highlights the need for such approaches to be transformative in the way they contribute to both individual and community wellbeing.