How We Work*
Call it our competitive advantage. Call it our secret sauce. We call it Colorado’s Civic DNA.™
Our leadership community identified and defined the most important attributes of Colorado’s Civic DNA. To share them, we’ve used their own words and the insights that make them uniquely Colorado. Here are our five attributes that we leverage to make Colorado better for all.
INCLUSIVITY
Anyone who wants to work with us is welcome
Newcomers are always surprised at how quickly they become part of this community. Inclusivity comes naturally to us here: If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work, we want you to join us. We don’t care where you come from, and you can check your title at the door.
We pride ourselves on being respectful and willing to listen, even if we don’t agree. Like our frontier forbears, we believe everyone should have access to power and opportunity.
COLLABORATION
We get more done together
This is a barn-raising culture. When there’s work to be done, we collaborate, especially when it’s for the common good. While collaboration can be messy and unpredictable, it has raised a lot of barns here.
We care more about how things get done than who wins, and we have little tolerance for arrogance and self-interest.
We’re open to compromise, but we like competition. We’re pragmatic and we’ll cross political boundaries when it benefits our community.
SHARED VISION
We’re always asking, what’s next?
Colorado has always been a gateway, not a boundary. Those who live here think big. We take the long view and are always asking, what’s next? We like bold thinking and outrageous goals—and we’re willing to invest in things that may not pay off for years if it will improve the lives of our children and our quality of life.
In a place created by trailblazers, the pioneering spirit is alive and well. People are willing to take risks and are not afraid to fail. We have learned to approach problems with imagination, flexibility and courage.
LEADERSHIP
Giving up power to get things done
We look for non-traditional leaders. Rather than imposing their authority, successful civic leaders in Colorado give up power to get things done. They don’t take credit; they give it to others. They tend to be more pragmatic than political, and more inclusive than ideological.
Leadership is seen by many as a contribution to the community, not an individual pursuit. Coloradans want leaders who listen first and find common ground, but aren’t afraid to act.
While that might not be politically prudent elsewhere, in Colorado it helps leaders build trust and engage people to support some of the most bold and innovative initiatives in the nation.
RESPONSIBILITY
We’re proud to be in Colorado and want to make it even better
Most of us are here by choice, and that creates a unique sense of responsibility for each other and for the spectacular environment in which we live.
People feel great pride in this place—the rugged, natural beauty and the quality of life it provides—and they feel responsible for it.
Along with optimism, we have also inherited a healthy skepticism of big government, big business and insiders of any stripe. We care deeply about the future impact of our decisions, and we’re not about to turn over responsibility to anyone who might undermine our exceptional way of life.
*We have initiated a review process of Colorado’s Civic DNA to ensure its alignment with the evolving needs of our community. If you have direct feedback to share, please email info@denverleadership.org.
How Do We Carry Colorado’s Civic DNA into the Future?
In each of the Leadership Foundation’s programs, we help emerging and experienced leaders develop the skills they need to keep Colorado’s Civic DNA a dynamic force for the common good in our community, because as leaders we know we’re never done learning about ourselves or the impact we can make.
We still have work to do. The Leadership Foundation will continue to engage people from across the state to hear how we’re leading—and where we fall short. That way, we can ensure that inclusivity, collaboration, shared vision, leadership and responsibility continue to inspire future generations and make Colorado an event stronger community for all who live here.