I believe that being an expert facilitator (of meetings, classes, conversations, etc) contributes to my leadership style significantly. A good facilitator of any process has little to no personal agenda going into the conversation. Instead, she is there to help weave together collective wisdom from the various people assembled. A good facilitator will always listen first, reflect back what she's heard for accuracy, acknowledge it without judgement or critique, and then add it to the list of emerging perspectives. When everyone has been heard, it's a facilitative leader's job to accurately identify the themes across the set and create agreement on next steps according the common ground. I strive to be a facilitative leader in everything I do, and sincerely hope it contributes value and substance to both the process and the outcome.

In my Utopian Austin, voter turnout would be 100%. People would be actively engaged and involved in voting for their local, county and statewide elected leaders—because in many ways our daily lives are affected far more by these decision-makers than even those at the national level.

The one thing I want people to understand about Leadership Austin is that it has something for everyone—from a monthly breakfast that connects you to the most timely news, to a six-week "survey-course" of Austin's most critical issues, to a year-long immersion program resulting in deeply committed community leadership. And more. If you're looking to connect with other leaders, hone your skills, or learn more about the issues that drive our community, one of our programs can deliver, and fit easily with your available time and commitment-level.

"Maude" from the movie "Harold and Maude". She was an octogenarian played by Ruth Gordon who had an incredible zeal for life. She was so full of life, and taught young, depressed, death-obsessed Harold what it meant to be fully alive. I'm no Ruth Gordon, but her message has always meant a lot to me and I try to remember it, and live it to the extent I can. There's a great scene when she tells him "A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life. Reach out. Take a chance. Get hurt even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room."

I do want to keep Austin Weird, but not at the expense of its necessary growth. I've been here since 1984 and understand and appreciate so much of the inherent value that Austin's "small town feel" brings to our daily lives. But I am also keenly aware that we are thriving international metropolis now, and must begin to behave accordingly as a city. Investing in core infrastructure, having an appropriately representative municipal government, and being able to offer the needed incentives to attract and retain jobs in Austin are critical factors. I am also a firm believer that we should protect the eclectic quality of life we enjoy through encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting local small businesses, investing in our public schools, and keeping the tolerant, "be yourself" attitude that makes our town so welcoming to everyone.