Is all influence truly local?Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities and host of the City Speak podcast, discusses the importance of inclusive leadership, the lessons from his early mayoral career, and his strategies in navigating complex political landscapes. From inclusive leadership to the power of showing up, Clarence shares how meeting communities where they are—both literally and figuratively—has shaped his approach to leadership. We reflect on how trust is built block by block and why elevating local voices can lead to nationwide impact. Plus, a personal story about Clarence’s mom reminds us why leadership isn’t a solo act—it’s a community effort.Takeaways:Step Up and Be Part of the Solution: Rather than focusing on complaints, individuals are encouraged to take initiative and contribute to solutions within their communities. This means being proactive, finding ways to give back, and remaining resilient through challenges.Engage Stakeholders Early: Effective leadership begins with early stakeholder engagement. Involving key voices from the start helps reduce opposition, save time, and build broader collaboration and support for initiatives.All Politics Is Local: As the saying goes, “all politics is local.” Local government remains the most trusted level of governance, and leaders who focus on the direct needs of their communities can leverage that trust to drive meaningful change.Humanize Local Leaders: Sharing the personal motivations, challenges, and stories of local leaders helps foster stronger connections with the public. This approach breaks down negative stereotypes and builds empathy and understanding within the community.Highlight Positive Stories: Uplifting positive stories and successful community projects fosters a sense of optimism and shared progress. Celebrating these wins can inspire others and promote the replication of effective practices across communities.Leverage Technology for Transparency—But Stay Vigilant: Technology can be a powerful tool to increase transparency and engagement. However, it must be used responsibly. Leaders should embrace digital tools while remaining alert to potential misuse or the spread of misinformation.Equip Leaders with the Right Tools: Access to tools, resources, and support is essential for effective governance. Providing training, technical assistance, federal advocacy, and best practices enables local governments to serve their communities more effectively.Quote of the Show:"You have to focus on your own community first. I think most residents—no matter what’s happening in Washington, D.C.—tend to be most concerned about their local community. It's like looking at a map of your town: the first place your eyes go is your own street, your own home. That’s how our residents are, and surveys back that up. They show the most trusted level of government is the local level—the town and village level—because people see those leaders every day. There's trust in that closeness."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarence-anthony-12010419/ Website: https://www.nlc.org/ Podcast: https://www.nlc.org/news-insights/citiesspeak-podcast/ 

Francisco Jamison, a leading expert on childcare and military families, is a passionate advocate dedicated to ensuring that those who serve our country have access to the support they need at home. With deep expertise in the complex infrastructure behind military childcare, Francisco sheds light on an issue that often goes unnoticed but is essential to the well-being of military families and the strength of our armed forces.This conversation is especially timely as April marks the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and honor military-connected children's resilience, strength, and sacrifices. Francisco’s insights offer a powerful reminder of the systems that support these young people — and why investing in them is critical to building a stronger future.One of the key themes Francisco explores is the power of influence in less visible spaces. He demonstrates how true leadership is rooted in respect and empathy by focusing on listening, adapting to people's needs, and honoring every individual — from top leadership to entry-level personnel. Through personal stories and lessons from military service, Francisco offers a compelling look at how influence can create meaningful, lasting change.Takeaways:Invest in Military Childcare: Focus on enhancing the infrastructure behind military childcare. By ensuring that military families have access to quality childcare, the well-being of both children and parents can be supported, ultimately strengthening the armed forces.Recognize the Resilience of Military Children: Take time during the Month of the Military Child (April) to acknowledge the unique challenges and strengths of military-connected children. Creating recognition programs for their sacrifices can help build a supportive community for them.Lead with Respect and Empathy: Emphasize leadership rooted in empathy and respect, focusing on listening to the needs of all individuals, from top leaders to entry-level personnel. This can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.Champion Invisible Contributions: Acknowledge and support less visible, yet essential, roles within the military system. Highlighting these contributions can build stronger, more effective networks within military families and the broader community.Create Meaningful Change through Influence: Leverage influence to make a lasting impact. Francisco’s approach emphasizes the importance of leading by example and using influence to create systems that benefit everyone, especially military families.Quote of the Show:“Childcare for the military, it’s a mission readiness factor. It’s a force multiplier, and so it affects national security.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-jamison-52102b25b/ Website: https://www.childcareaware.org/ 

How can one leader spark meaningful change in science, policy, and people's lives—all at once?In this powerful interview, Dr. Tim Coetzee, President and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, shares insights from his remarkable journey in MS research and advocacy. With decades of experience, Dr. Coetzee reflects on the evolution of MS diagnosis and treatment, highlighting how cutting-edge science and improved therapies have dramatically transformed patient outcomes.Beyond the lab and policy rooms, Dr. Coetzee emphasizes the critical role of communication—how clear, consistent messaging and compelling storytelling are essential tools in leadership and advocacy. Whether speaking to policymakers, scientists, or the general public, he explains how tailoring the message builds trust and drives change.He also opens up about his leadership philosophy, stressing the importance of transparency, creating a safe space for feedback, and empowering teams to lead with purpose. A strong advocate for using professional platforms like LinkedIn, Dr. Coetzee offers practical advice on how leaders can use digital communication to amplify their mission.At its core, the interview is a reflection of Dr. Coetzee’s belief in using influence for good—and his call for others to do the same.Takeaways:Curiosity and a willingness to learn fuel career growth: Openness to new experiences and risks leads to meaningful opportunities.Clear communication and storytelling strengthen leadership: Strong narratives align teams and inspire diverse audiences.Consistent messaging builds trust and clarity: A unified message across audiences maximizes impact and understanding.Psychological safety encourages openness and trust: Safe environments foster honest dialogue and collaboration.Strategic use of LinkedIn amplifies influence: Purposeful, mission-driven content extends reach and engagement.Personal and professional experience build authenticity: Combining expertise with personal stories deepens credibility.Transparency and vulnerability strengthen influence: Honest leadership creates trust and authentic relationships.Quote of the Show:"As a leader, it's crucial to be open, listen, and create space for others. We’re doing hard work, and if you come in thinking you have all the answers, it simply won’t work—especially in today’s world. While listening and creating opportunities is key, clarity is also essential at the right moments."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timcoetzee/ Website: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/ Shout Outs:Joyce Nelson Nancy Duarte

What does it truly mean to be an influencer—not just in title, but in action, in humility, and in the way we uplift others?Edna Kane Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, AARP, explores the power of influence beyond the boardroom. From her deeply personal journey as a caregiver for her mother to her leadership in championing marginalized communities, Edna shares invaluable insights on mentorship, advocacy, and the lessons learned along the way. She reminds us that influence is a two-way street—not just about speaking but about listening, elevating others, and embracing the wisdom that comes with time. Whether you’re an introvert navigating leadership or someone seeking inspiration for your own path, this conversation is filled with thought-provoking takeaways you won’t want to miss.Takeaways:Delegate Opportunities to Others – Pass on speaking engagements or panel opportunities to younger or less experienced colleagues to support their professional growth.Make Your Presence Known – Contribute substantively in meetings to ensure your voice is heard and adds value to discussions.Establish Boundaries for Your Role – Be mindful of tasks you take on, ensuring they align with your professional standing and meaningful contributions.Amplify Other Voices – Use your influence to create space for colleagues to share their ideas and ensure diverse perspectives are heard.Be Intentional About Your Presence – Recognize how your presence affects group dynamics and fosters an inclusive and open environment.Resilience in the Face of Challenges – Approach setbacks with resilience and a positive mindset to continue progressing.Incorporate Inclusivity – Make a conscious effort to include others and build relationships, even if it doesn’t come naturally.Quote of the Show:" I have been focused on being a mentor, but also sometimes a mentee. Really understanding the role of age in the workplace is not always top down. Being open to treating and embracing age and young people, old people." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edna-kane-williams-4b943b12/ Website: https://www.aarp.org/ 

How can we bridge the gap between scientific research and policy to create lasting change in women's health?In this engaging conversation, Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research, shares her journey as a trusted leader and advocate for women's health. She dives into her work, driving major investments in research, pushing for the inclusion of pregnant and lactating populations in clinical trials, and shaping public policy through science, education, and advocacy.Kathryn also discusses effective advocacy strategies—relationship building, personal storytelling, and policymaker education—while offering insights on leadership, board service, and the role of personal branding in advancing organizational goals. The conversation wraps up with a powerful discussion on staying motivated in advocacy and celebrating progress along the way.Takeaways:Build Meaningful Relationships: Advocacy and policy success depend on trust and personal connections. Genuine relationships can lead to long-term alliances and new opportunities.Prioritize Sex Differences in Research: Advocate for the inclusion of women in clinical trials and highlight the ethical issues of exclusion. Use historical milestones to showcase progress and remaining challenges.Leverage Personal Connections: In both professional and advocacy settings, understanding and utilizing personal interests can influence outcomes. Small gestures, like remembering personal details, help build strong rapport.Maximize the Power of a Small Organization: Small teams can create a significant impact by forming strategic partnerships and bringing in external expertise. Focus on niche areas where you can lead while collaborating broadly.Advocate for Your Team: Support staff growth by ensuring their voices are heard, especially those who may be less vocal. Create an environment that fosters professional development and inclusivity.Use LinkedIn and Social Media Strategically: Strengthen your personal brand to amplify your organization’s mission. Be intentional with posts, share authentic stories, and engage consistently with your audience.Celebrate Small Wins: Advocacy work can be slow-moving, but recognizing progress—no matter how small—keeps motivation high. Regularly reflect on achievements to sustain long-term commitment.Quote of the Show:"The key word, I think, is listening. Many of us in advocacy, especially policy advocacy, love to talk—we have plenty of ideas and opinions. Maybe some of us were in debate club and feel the urge to jump into a discussion to win it. But I think it's crucial to first sit back and truly hear what someone is saying about their concerns. Even before getting to the listening part, there's a connection that needs to be made."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-godburn-schubert-07352a7/ Website: https://swhr.org/ Shout Outs:Judy SchneiderSteve Taylor Chuck HendersonLeah Howard National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF)