The Collective Begins: First steps together
Cath McNally
There’s a certain kind of anticipation at the edge of something new – a gathering of people bringing experiences, hopes, and uncertainties. At the heart of the Community Leadership Collective’s first session was imagination and connection. Through playful sketches of animals, people reflected on how they were arriving: curious cats, strong ants, and wise owls. Beneath laughter, there was a quiet insight into stepping into the unknown together.
From this, a sense of belonging emerged, not from rules but from trust. The group shaped what it means to show up well – for themselves and each other, recognising that leadership is about making space for everyone to be heard and supported.
Mid-morning brought paperwork and the labyrinth of logistics – forms, questions, realities of the tax system. Navigating complexity is the norm for community leaders, but this doesn’t make it any easier – accepting that one person can’t have all the answers and recognising the value of a peer network willing to help identify solutions or sources of support was another powerful moment.
Leadership was explored both collectively and personally. Together, the group began shaping a mission grounded in shared ambition. Individually, reflecting on admired leaders brought awareness of not just actions but the values and emotions guiding those actions. A self-efficacy survey offered a quiet challenge – a way to witness the journey of growth each person is on.
The day ended with a tangible symbol of connection: an appreciation web woven from spoken recognition and shared gratitude. It wasn’t tidy – it wasn’t meant to be. But in the laughter, honesty and spun threads, leadership took shape as something shared. These are still early days, yet already the Collective feels greater than the sum of its parts.
