Leading Locally - How Rural Leadership Works

Rural communities depend on people who step forward—not because they hold titles, but because neighbors trust them to help, connect others, and move local work forward.

This article introduces what rural leadership looks like today and why emerging leaders matter.

What Do We Mean by "Rural"?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service defines rural places as communities with:

• Smaller populations
• Greater distance from metropolitan centers
• Strong reliance on local relationships and institutions

In these settings, people know one another. Roles overlap. Community life is visible and personal. Because of this, leadership is less about position and more about participation, trust, and responsibility (USDA ERS, 2025).

What Is Community Leadership in Rural Places?

A community is more than a location. It is a network of relationships built around shared work and shared concerns. Sociologist Kenneth Wilkinson described this network as the community field, a web of people, groups, and organizations connected through action (Wilkinson, 1991).

Think of it as a web:

• Each person or group is a strand
• When someone brings people together, strands connect
• When many people act, the web becomes stronger

Community leadership is any action that strengthens this web. (Wilkinson, 1991).

In rural communities, leaders often:

• Bring people together
• Guide conversations
• Coordinate local efforts
• Connect groups that don’t usually interact

This type of leadership is informal and relationship-based (Pigg, 1999). Because the community is small, people notice who shows up. This visibility builds trust and accountability, encouraging participation and collective action (Kaufman & Rudd, 2006).

Research on human group behavior also shows that people tend to follow individuals who act fairly, generously, and in the group's interest, traits that are especially visible in close-knit rural settings (Van Vugt et al., 2008).

Why Emerging Leaders Matter

Many rural communities face:

• Aging populations
• Fewer volunteers
• Increasingly complex local issues
• Longtime leaders stepping away (Pigg, 1999)

New leaders are essential for continuity. When emerging leaders step in, they gain:

• Confidence
• Skills
• A sense of belonging
• Understanding of local decision-making

The community gains

• New energy and ideas
• Broader participation
• Stronger cross-generational connections
• Shared responsibility for local work (Emery et al., 2012)

Leadership development is especially important where a small number of people carry many responsibilities (Kaufman & Rudd, 2006). Leadership grows through experience, reflection, and real participation (Avolio et al., 2009).

How Leadership Actually Happens in Rural Communities

Leadership rarely begins with a formal role. It begins with everyday actions:

• Volunteering at an event
• Helping organize a fundraiser
• Bringing neighbors together to discuss a concern

These actions connect people across the community and strengthen the community field (Wilkinson, 1991). As trust builds, others offer support, networks deepen, and collaboration increases (Davies, 2009). Groups naturally support individuals who solve problems, promote cooperation, and act in the group's best interest (Van Vugt et al., 2008). Over time, these patterns create informal but powerful leadership (Kaufman & Rudd, 2006).

How to Get Started as an Emerging Leader

You do not need a title to begin. Start local. Start small.

• Attend a township, borough, or school meeting to observe decision-making
• Talk with an experienced community member about current needs
• Choose one local issue you care about
• Volunteer for a short, specific task
• Meet people from different community groups to understand their perspectives (Wilkinson, 1991)

Reflection, learning, and hands-on experience build leadership confidence and skill (Hustedde & Woodward, 1996; Avolio et al., 2009).

Bring It Together

Rural leadership grows through:

• Relationships
• Shared purpose
• Everyday participation

The leadership behaviors that matter most are simple:

• Show integrity
• Follow through
• Care for others
• Focus on shared goals

When emerging leaders connect people and participate in community life, they strengthen the community field and help their town adapt to change (Wilkinson, 1991). In rural places, leadership is not about standing above others. It is about standing with others.

Acknowledgment:

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry provides funding for AgWorks project. This project is funded 100% with federal funds from a US Department of Labor grant totaling $1,325,699.00 and 0% ($0.00) non-federal funds. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

References

Avolio, B. J., Walumbwa, F. O., & Weber, T. J. (2009). Leadership: Current theories, research, and Future Directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60(1), 421–449. doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163621

Davies, A. (2009). Understanding local leadership in building the capacity of rural communities in Australia. Geographical Research, 47(4), 380–389. doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2009.00586.x

Emery, M., Fernandez, E., Gutierrez-Montes, I., & Butler Flora, C. (2007). Leadership as community capacity building: A study on the impact of Leadership Development Training on Community. Community Development, 38(4), 60–70. doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1080/15575330709489819

Hustedde, R. J., & Woodward, A. (1996). Designing a rural leadership program and curriculum (IP-54) (PDF). University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. 

Kaufman, E. K., & Rudd, R. D. (2006). Rural Leadership Development: A synthesis of research. Journal of Leadership Education, 5(3), 128–141. 

Pigg, K. E. (1999). Community Leadership and Community Theory: A Practical Synthesis. Journal of the Community Development Society, 30(2), 196–212. doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1080/15575339909489721 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2025, January 8). Rural classifications: What is rural? USDA Economic Research Service. 

Van Vugt, M., Hogan, R., & Kaiser, R. B. (2008). Leadership, followership, and evolution: Some lessons from the past. American Psychologist, 63(3), 182–196.

Wilkinson, K. (1991). The community in rural America. Greenwood Press.