Leadership Lee County

Leadership Lee County Immersing leaders for greater impact in Lee County, AL through a 9-month Leadership Program & annual Ignite Leadership Summit.

Leadership Lee County is a program sponsored by the Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce. It seeks out, honors, educates, challenges, and develops a select group of leaders who live or work in Lee County and have the potential to provide the leadership needed to solve problems of community and statewide significance. Participants are selected on the basis of ability, demonstrated interest in th

e community, and potential for responsible and effective leadership. The program begins in September with a kick-off retreat and reception and continues monthly through May. The monthly seminars highlight community issues and trends while incorporating professional development, community issues and trends and have the opportunity to hear from prominent leaders throughout the Lee County area.

Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, serving your community, or mentoring others, there's always somethi...
09/03/2026

Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, serving your community, or mentoring others, there's always something we can learn from people who are willing to reflect on what leadership is teaching them!

For our Leadership Perspectives series, we'll have a conversation with leaders across Lee County about the lessons they're learning, the challenges they're navigating, and the insights shaping their leadership today.

This month, we're featuring Kelly Wilson. Let's learn from each others perspectives!

- Why does community leadership matter to you? "Because community is about people doing life together. It's about supporting each other during challenges and celebrating each other's successes. When we invest in our communities, we strengthen the connections that make all of us better."

- What makes strong communities thrive? "People who are willing to step up. Progress happens when individuals roll up their sleeves and get involved. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve a problem, leaders ask, "How can I help?"

- What's one way people can lead without the title? "Be the light. Lead with integrity, kindness, and purpose. When others see those qualities in action, they're inspired to follow. True leadership isn't about authority. It's about influence. Together, we can build communities where everyone can thrive"

If you think about the leaders you've chosen to follow, it probably wasn't because they had the biggest title or always ...
09/02/2026

If you think about the leaders you've chosen to follow, it probably wasn't because they had the biggest title or always knew the right thing to say. It was probably because of the way they made you feel.

They remembered the little details, checked in when it truly mattered, listened without rushing you, and made you feel like you belonged. Those simple moments build trust, and trust is often what makes us want to follow someone's leadership.

When you know someone genuinely cares about you and wants to see you succeed, professionally or personally, it's easy to want to be on their team! As a leader, the biggest thing you can do for the people around you are to make them feel seen!

Give a shoutout in the comments to a leader who has made you feel seen. We'd love to celebrate the people who have led you and others well!

Difficult conversations are tough, and sometimes the hardest part is knowing how to conclude them well! Having a game pl...
08/24/2026

Difficult conversations are tough, and sometimes the hardest part is knowing how to conclude them well! Having a game plan can help you conclude the conversation with care, respect, and a clear path forward.

Even when there isn't complete agreement, taking the time to end the conversation thoughtfully can make all the difference.

What do you prioritize when ending a difficult conversation? What has been most helpful for you?

If we're being honest, difficult conversations can bring up strong emotions. We've all experienced moments when frustrat...
08/19/2026

If we're being honest, difficult conversations can bring up strong emotions. We've all experienced moments when frustration, stress, or discomfort make it harder to communicate the way we'd like.

As leaders, we don't avoid emotions. We learn how to navigate them for the betterment of ourselves and our teams. A simple check-in and realignment can go a long way toward building trust and strengthening relationships!

1. Recognize what you're feeling - Conflict is challenging enough. When emotions take over, it becomes even harder to communicate effectively. Before responding, take a moment to identify your emotions.

2. Pause before you react - A pause can create space for understanding and keep the conversation productive.

3. Focus on connection, not winning - The goal of a difficult conversation isn't to win an argument. It's to strengthen understanding, solve problems, and move forward together.

What have you found most helpful when trying to navigate emotions within a hard conversation?

Every community has needs we can see and every community has needs we don't.In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen ...
08/18/2026

Every community has needs we can see and every community has needs we don't.

In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen Reeder sits down with Tipi Miller, Executive Director of United Way of Lee County, to talk about what it really means to strengthen a community. From supporting local nonprofits to helping neighbors through times of crisis, United Way's mission is rooted in bringing people and resources together where they're needed most.

Along the way, they discuss the ALICE population - hardworking families who are often overlooked despite facing impossible financial decisions every day and why understanding their reality makes us better leaders, employers, neighbors, and community members.

Leadership begins with awareness and awareness is what inspires action.

šŸŽ§ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Alumni, we want to espresso ā˜•ļø our appreciation for you! Come enjoy a cup of free coffee and catch-up chats with fellow ...
08/17/2026

Alumni, we want to espresso ā˜•ļø our appreciation for you! Come enjoy a cup of free coffee and catch-up chats with fellow alumni this week!


DETAILS:

August 18th
Well Red Second Story
1150 N Donahue Drive, Auburn, Al 36830
7am-9am

August 19th
Market Street Coffee Shop
116 S 8th Street, Ste 103 Opelika, AL
7am-9am

We can't wait to see you!

Local leadership
Lee county
Professional Development
Alumni membership
Leadership program
Community involvement

Since 1988, Leadership Lee County has helped develop leaders, strengthen relationships, and deepen people's understandin...
08/12/2026

Since 1988, Leadership Lee County has helped develop leaders, strengthen relationships, and deepen people's understanding of the community they call home.

That legacy is something we're incredibly proud of, but we're just as excited about where we're headed!

The leadership challenges facing our workplaces, organizations, and communities continue to evolve. That means our responsibility to intentionally develop leaders must evolve too.

Our vision is simple: To be the leadership resource for Lee County.

That means continuing to offer the Leadership Program you've known while expanding opportunities for leadership development through workshops, executive leadership experiences, professional development events, coaching, and resources that equip leaders at every stage of their journey.

Because stronger leaders build stronger organizations and stronger organizations strengthen our community - which benefits us all.

Whether you've been part of Leadership Lee County for years or you're just discovering us, we're excited to keep building what's next, together!

Stay up-to-date by joining our monthly newsletter - link in bio!

Difficult conversations are a normal part of life, especially in leadership. In this second part of our series, weā€™re fo...
08/10/2026

Difficult conversations are a normal part of life, especially in leadership. In this second part of our series, weā€™re focusing on how to disagree without creating division.

One practice that's helpful when navigating difficult conversations is to intentionally come back to what's unifying.

Before diving into where you disagree, take a moment to acknowledge what you're both working toward. Maybe it's serving your customers well, or supporting your team or finding the best solution.

When you begin with common ground, the conversation often becomes less about winning an argument and more about solving a problem together.

It's important to remember that the person across the table isn't the enemy. More often than not, you're working toward the same goal and you simply have different perspectives on how to get there!

Leadership looks different at every stage of the journey.Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, serving yo...
08/06/2026

Leadership looks different at every stage of the journey.

Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, serving your community, or mentoring others, there's always something we can learn from people who are willing to reflect on what leadership is teaching them!

This month, we're featuring Lolly Steiner. Let's learn from each others perspectives!

1. What's something leadership has taught you recently? In my new leadership role with AuburnBank, I've been reminded how important it is to be approachable.
When people feel comfortable coming to you, trust grows and relationships get stronger.

2. What leadership lesson are you currently learning? When people feel empowered, the entire organization becomes stronger.

3. What's challenged your perspective about leadership? Moving into a new leadership role challenged my perspective by showing me that leadership isn't about being the expert in every situation.

4. What do you know now that you didn't know earlier in your career? I have learned that success isnā€™t just about what I accomplish individuallyā€”itā€™s about how well I develop and support others.

*For our Leadership Perspectives series, we'll have a conversation with leaders across Lee County about the lessons they're learning, the challenges they're navigating, and the insights shaping their leadership today!*

We're kicking off our "Handling Difficult Conversations" series with a focus on what happens before the conversation.We'...
08/03/2026

We're kicking off our "Handling Difficult Conversations" series with a focus on what happens before the conversation.

We'd argue that this is the most important part of navigating a difficult conversation! Taking the time to examine assumptions, regulate emotions, consider timing, and clarify intent can make all the difference in how a conversation unfolds.

Challenge your assumptions before the conversation:
- What facts do I know?
- What assumptions am I making?
- Could there be another perspective I'm not considering?

Regulate emotions and consider timing:
- Check your emotional temperature before meeting.
- Avoid conversations when you're angry, frustrated, or reactive.
- Consider whether both parties have the time and capacity to engage productively.

Clarify your intent:
Are you wanting to..
- Build understanding?
- Create accountability?
- Solve a problem?
- Strengthen a relationship?

Stay tuned as we continue this series and explore practical strategies for handling difficult conversations with confidence and purpose!

Local leadership
Lee county
Professional Development
Community Involvement

Address

PO Box 1370
Auburn, AL
36831

Telephone

+13343841353

Website

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