The Social Change Model of Leadership is an inspiring approach that helps everyday people create positive change in their communities and beyond. This model shows how our values, purpose, and connections with others can drive social impact.
In this article, I want to show you how being intentional in your leadership, using the Seven C’s as a guide, can help you cultivate connections and inspire change.
If more leaders embrace this model, it could have wide-ranging societal benefits. Specifically, it could transform organizations by fostering more collaborative cultures centered on shared values. It could strengthen communities through increased volunteerism, civic engagement, and local initiatives driven by common purpose.
The model can also support youth development by providing a framework for rising leaders to serve causes they care about. And it can improve government by emphasizing citizenship, civil discourse, and policies that benefit society as a whole.
Overall, by living these values collectively, we can build a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
Understanding the Seven C’s
The Social Change Model is built on seven core values called the Seven C’s. These interrelated values offer a roadmap to leadership that transforms communities.
Consciousness of Self
Effective leadership starts with self-awareness – taking the time to understand your personal values, beliefs, and habits. In other words, knowing yourself deeply and holistically. When you possess a strong consciousness of self, you are better equipped to make wise choices, lead with authenticity, and genuinely relate to others.
Furthermore, self-reflection helps you identify areas for personal growth so that you can ultimately contribute to positive change on a broader scale. For example, I recently reflected on my tendency to focus on weaknesses rather than strengths, both in myself and in those around me. By becoming more conscious of this habit, I can reframe my self-talk and empower those around me by focusing on building them up.
Congruence
Congruence refers to the alignment between a leader’s words and actions. When people observe consistency between a leader’s stated values and their actual behaviors, they are more likely to trust that leader and feel inspired by their vision for change. Displays of integrity and “walking the talk” enable leaders to build strong, united communities rooted in shared principles.
For instance, civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrated absolute congruence between their message of nonviolence and their actions of peaceful protest. This consistency was key to mobilizing an entire movement.
Commitment
Lasting, meaningful change requires unwavering dedication, perseverance and grit from leaders. Committed leaders stay stubbornly focused on their goals in the long-term, even when obstacles arise and progress seems halted. Their passion, resilience and relentless drive motivate others to keep taking action despite challenges.
Think of the tenacity displayed by committed leaders like Nelson Mandela who persevered through decades of struggle in order to help end apartheid. Or Malala Yousafzai who persists in advocating for girls’ education long after surviving an assassination attempt intended to silence her.
Read More: The Importance Of Commitment & Integrity In Your Relationships
Common Purpose
There is inherent power when people come together around a shared vision and common purpose. Unity around common goals can help diverse individuals recognize their collective strength. A sense of interdependence develops; people realize they can accomplish much more by pooling their perspectives, abilities and resources. Collective collaboration becomes possible when people unite under the banner of a common cause.
For instance, the anti-poll tax movement in the UK successfully unified citizens across class divides to defeat the controversial tax through nonviolent resistance. Without identifying a common purpose, such widespread collaboration and eventual success would have been impossible.
Controversy with Civility
Effective leaders understand that avoiding disagreement and controversy altogether does a disservice to progress and problem-solving. Controversy exposes differing viewpoints, challenges assumptions that limit thinking, and promotes the critical analysis of complex issues from multiple angles.
However, leaders must also model how to engage in controversy civilly in order for it to be productive vs destructive. Keeping an open mind, truly listening to others, and setting the example of respectful discourse enables controversy to expand perspectives rather than dissolve relationships.
As Michelle Obama wisely stated, “When they go low, we go high.” Maintaining civility raises the level of debate and allows controversy to strengthen social bonds.
Collaboration
The immense power of working collaboratively cannot be overstated when it comes to driving social change. When people strategically combine their diverse strengths, resources and spheres of influence, they can discover innovative solutions to complex problems and develop an enhanced sense of collective responsibility.
Just look at initiatives like the Global Fund which unite governments, organizations, and companies to address major global health challenges. Similarly, Bread for the World harnesses collaborative advocacy across communities to combat hunger and poverty.
Citizenship
At the heart of the Social Change Model is the notion that every individual has a responsibility to actively participate in and improve society. True citizenship requires going beyond passive enjoyment of rights and privileges. It means engaging diligently in civic duties, constructively advocating for positive societal change, and taking personal action to address shared issues.
When leaders inspire this spirit of active citizenship in others, they empower community members to get involved, voice their opinions, and take ownership of collaborative solutions rather than relying solely on authority figures.
As President John F. Kennedy famously implored the public: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” We all have a valuable role to play.
Volunteering: A Catalyst for Social Change – “Be The Change”
Volunteering provides a powerful catalyst for both personal growth and broader community or societal transformation. By dedicating our time, skills, passion and effort toward causes which resonate with our values, we can directly and positively impact the lives of others while contributing to meaningful change.
In my own life, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of volunteering. Several years ago, I volunteered at a local refugee center tutoring and mentoring children who had resettled here after fleeing conflict in countries like Syria, Congo, Afghanistan.
Although challenging at times, my experience volunteering with these children contributed significantly to their educational development and integration. Equally importantly, it fostered profound connections and mutual understanding between us. I learned so much from the kids about resilience, gratitude and the incredible power of human connection even across numerous divides.
My closest friend Emily has also been heavily involved in volunteerism for over a decade. Her main passion is environmental conservation. She consistently participates in beach clean-ups, tree planting initiatives and educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness around sustainability.
Emily’s dedication to these efforts has been a source of inspiration. Her volunteering has motivated countless others in our community to take action toward preserving our planet’s precious natural resources.
Statistics speak volumes about the wide-reaching and significant impact of volunteer service:
- According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, volunteers in the U.S. contribute approximately 6.9 billion hours of service annually, valued at over $167 billion in terms of labor.
- Extensive research has demonstrated that volunteering positively impacts mental health and wellbeing. It builds social connections and reduces stress, loneliness and depression.
- Communities with higher rates of volunteerism tend to have lower crime rates, better educational outcomes for youth and a stronger sense of social cohesion overall.
Volunteer opportunities today are vast and diverse, catering to a wide spectrum of passions and causes. Here are just some of the many ways to get involved:
- Tutor and mentor youth through local after-school programs, refugee centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters and more. You can help empower young people through academic support, life skills training and being a positive role model.
- Combat hunger and food insecurity by serving meals at soup kitchens and food banks, sorting donations, and delivering meals to underserved communities. You’ll ensure those in need have access to nutritious food.
- Care for the environment by planting trees, cleaning up nature areas, building trails, or doing shoreline restoration work. Help preserve the planet’s precious resources through hands-on sustainability initiatives.
- Respond in times of crisis by training to volunteer with the Red Cross or other disaster relief organizations that provide emergency shelter, supplies, and comfort in the wake of natural disasters.
- Support new immigrants and refugees through teaching English, assisting with job applications, providing cultural orientation, and more. Help build connections and ease the transition for new members of your community.
- Advocate for social causes you care about by raising awareness, contacting government representatives, registering voters, writing letters, and using your voice. Stand up for issues like human rights, racial justice, economic equality, and more.
Read More: Social Impact: Cultivating Connection And Changing The World
Fostering Connection Through Service
Looking beyond the direct impact of volunteer work, the very act of service also profoundly fosters social connection, promotes inclusivity and breaks down barriers within communities.
When a diverse spectrum of individuals come together through service work for a common cause, powerful bonds form that transcend differences in age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and life experience.
Volunteering creates openings for meaningful interactions and shared experiences that cultivate mutual understanding.
Through selfless service, we develop vital skills like empathy and the ability to appreciate diverse perspectives. We recognize our inherent interconnectedness.
Collaborative volunteer efforts bring community members together. They generate a shared sense of belonging, trust and collective responsibility. As social connection grows, communities gain strength and cohesion. They become more equipped to overcome complex challenges and create an environment that values diversity, inclusivity and care for one another.
Read More: How To Create A Sense Of Belonging In Your Life With Community
Embracing the Social Change Model of Leadership
The Social Change Model of Leadership provides a holistic and highly practical framework for cultivating positive transformation across communities and society. By embracing the Seven C’s – consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, common purpose, controversy with civility, collaboration, and citizenship – both established and emerging leaders can mobilize and empower others to work in concert towards shared goals and a greater good.
Volunteer service is a powerful catalyst for both personal growth and community development. It allows individuals to directly apply their skills and passions toward creating positive change, while also fostering social connection and cohesion. By exploring the of the Social Change Model and volunteering, anyone can become a force for change within their community and beyond.
To those interested in further exploring the Social Change Model of Leadership and its potential for driving societal transformation, I encourage checking out the following resources:
- Find volunteer opportunities near you at Volunteer Match and Create the Good.
- Visit the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs to learn more about the Social Change Model.
- Read the book Leadership for a Better World: Understanding the Social Change Model of Leadership Development by Susan R. Komives to learn more.
With intentional, values-based leadership, a commitment to serving community, and an emphasis on collective action, we all have the power to build a society that is more just, equitable and sustainable. What changes will you make?
