Self-Guided Course

Start With You—What it Means to be a Main Street Leader

Most Main Street leaders step into this work with deep passion and dedication to their community—and not a lot of guidance. This role can be described as a job that's ten positions rolled into one, and where the needs of the community take center stage.

Whether you embraced this role with hesitation or enthusiasm, this course is designed to provide you with the tools you need to be an effective Main Street leader. This learning journey is designed for you—the connector, advocate, listener, and visionary. Throughout this course, you'll be invited to pause and reflect. We recommend using a notebook or journal to document your thoughts. These moments are just for you, and they'll help you turn insight into action—and root your leadership into something deeper. Let's find your footing, together.

Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Starting Formal Learning: 100 points

A man stands at the front of a room holding a microphone and gesturing as he speaks. He wears a black blazer over a dark t-shirt and stands in front of an exposed brick wall. In the foreground, several seated attendees—seen from behind—listen, one sipping from a cup. A laptop sits on a small table beside the speaker. — Nevada, Iowa. Photo by KandE Productions

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Understand what Main Street leaders actually do — and why it matters.
Recognize how your daily work connects to the broader Main Street movement.
Explore how trust, presence, and follow-through build leadership credibility.
Reflect on your personal motivation for stepping into Main Street leadership.
Prepare to move from surviving to strategizing as you begin your leadership journey.