A seminal work in fleshing out the kind of leadership we need torenew and prepare communities for the demands of democracy in thecoming era. Ronald Heifetz, director, Leadership Education Project, John F.Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Jolted by the economic downturn of the early 1990s and the rapidglobalization of the economy, a group of California business,government, education, and community leaders formed Joint Venture:Silicon Valley, a collaborative regional alliance that helpedcreate a strengthened economy and an improved quality of life intheir community. Now three of Joint Venture's advisers outline theprocess that led to this dramatic turnaround, as well as successstories in Florida, Ohio, Kansas, and Texas. They reveal thepowerful new concept of civic entrepreneurship, and they offerpractical, proven strategies that community leaders across thecountry can employ to foster local economic development andrenewal. Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy explains the uniqueleadership qualities that set civic entrepreneurs apart, andillustrates how these leaders can emerge from all levels ofprivate, public, social, and civic organizations. The book showshow civic entrepreneurs forge powerfully productive linkages at theintersection of business, government, education, and community, andit demonstrates how they operate at the grassroots level to createcollaborative advantages that make it possible for theireconomic communities to compete on the global stage. Citing numerous real-life examples, authors Douglas Henton, JohnMelville, and Kimberly Walesh illustrate the necessary steps tobuild an economic community. They show how civic entrepreneursmotivate and network to organize for action, set priorities, andmobilize resources to get things done. Finally, they demonstratehow to sustain cross-sector collaboration over the long haul forthe good of the community. An indispensable resource, GrassrootsLeaders for a New Economy offers step-by-step guidance andpractical advice equally useful to business executives, electedofficials and public managers, community development practitioners,or concerned citizens who want to take an active role in shapingthe future of local economic development.