87% of Americans are tired of the extreme polarization in our country. 

But when politicians lie and incite fear to get elected or stay in power, we give them a pass because ‘it’s just politics.’

So, what can we do as leaders to combat polarization? How do we lead by example, demonstrating the courage and character it takes to understand why someone thinks differently and find common ground?

Deke Copenhaver is the Leadership Coach and Keynote Speaker behind Copenhaver Consulting, LLC, and Bestselling Author of The Changemaker: The Art of Building Better Leaders.

Deke served as Mayor of Augusta, Georgia from 2005 through 2014, and today, he is leading the movement to combat extreme polarization through the organization Starts With Us.

On this episode of Leading Visionaries, Deke joins Anjel to explain how he got the calling for public service and walk us through his process for communicating his vision for the City of Augusta.

Deke discusses the boundaries he set during his tenure as mayor, describing how he prioritized his family, his faith and his integrity over politics.

Listen in to understand how Starts With Us challenges individuals to find common ground and learn how to lead in a way that promotes curiosity, compassion and the courage to have difficult conversations.

What You Will Learn 

How Deke got the calling for public service and his tenure as mayor of Augusta, Georgia

Deke’s process of communicating his vision for Augusta and enrolling others to make it happen

Why the only power good leaders should concern themselves with is the power to inspire

How Deke prioritized his family and their needs above his mayoral campaign

The boundaries Deke set to remain true to his faith and maintain his character while in office

Deke’s transition from politics to consulting and leadership coaching and who his business serves

Why Deke joined the Starts With Us movement to combat extreme polarization

How Starts With Us challenges individuals to treat each other with curiosity and compassion

The courage it takes to have difficult conversations and why it’s becoming a lost art

How understanding why someone thinks differently helps us establish common ground

Connect with Deke Copenhaver 

Deke’s Website

The Change Maker Podcast

Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell 

Leading Visionaries Podcast

Join the Leading Visionaries Community

Make a Donation to Support the Show

Creative Age Consulting Group

Anjel on Twitter

Anjel on Instagram

Resources

The Changemaker: The Art of Building Better Leaders by Deke Copenhaver

Starts With Us

‘The News Media Is Killing Itself Through Extreme Polarization’ in Forbes

Be Heard by Millions and Live Your Destiny: A Creative Age Leader’s Guide to speak, Sell, Serve & Succeed by Anjel B. Hartwell