Civic Leadership and Moral Action: Multicultural Leadership Strategies that Strengthen the Capacity of Community to Enact the Common Good

Purpose: This qualitative study describes the experience and strategies of civic leaders involved in civic actions. The study addresses a gap in the scientific literature pertaining to the factors that lead to effective moral action in an increasingly diverse society with pluralistic values and beliefs. There is a well-defined body of writing on moral thought and moral identity (Kohlberg and Piaget). However, there are gaps in our understanding of the links between moral identity, vision and action (Colby, 2002; Nasir & Kirshner, 2003). Further, theorists have identified the importance of understanding the contextual influences (social, cultural, and institutional) that affect civic leaders' ability to accomplish the common good (Flanagan, 2003; Nasir & Kirshner, 2003). The research question that guided the study is,” How do civic leaders experience the relationship of moral identity to moral vision and moral action with diverse constituents? “

Method: Purposeful sampling in 3 unique rural locations and one metropolitan area was used to recruit adults with experience in a civic leadership role, using defined criteria and a screening protocol to determine eligibility. In-depth, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with twenty participants from rural (n=8) and urban (n=12) areas. A case study of a rural civic action with data collection from a focus group (n=7), individual interviews (n=3) and document analysis was also included. The total sample consisted of 30 participants, 16 women and 14 men, with diverse ethnicities: Caucasion (20), African American (2), Hispanic (6), and American Indian (2). Data analysis consisted of content analysis (open coding, thematic interpretations) and development of a model of conceptual categories and properties (Glaser and Strauss, 1968; Patton, 2007; Miles and Huberman, 1994).

Results: The results revealed rich description of conceptual categories and properties that inform civic leaders' moral identity, moral vision, and strategies for action. Major categories included: a) the relationship of moral identity to moral vision, b) the development of communal vision, c) the strategies of moral action, d) the role of universal values e), contextual influences on civic leadership (social, cultural and institutional), f) development of civic trust, g) cultural representation, h) an action orientation, i) strategies to address radical pluralism, and, j) the rural and urban civic leadership context. The categories and properties are organized into a model for civic leadership.

Conclusion and Implications: The model provides vital data to inform community social work practitioners as they identify, develop, and work with natural leaders to strengthen community capacities. The results contribute to the training and development of effective natural and civic leaders who can forge coalitions and partnerships to enact social change that contributes to the public good. The findings highlight the complexity and differences of the rural and urban context of civic actions, as well as unique cultural approaches to civic leadership. The experience of the participant leaders highlights the applicability of strategies that “fit and work” with diverse and sometimes conflicting values and beliefs (Glaser and Strauss, 1968).