Preface

Writing this book has been one of the greatest professional experiences of my life. Several other authors told me how hard it would be, and they were right. The book has taken much more time than I thought it would, and the writing has evolved in ways I did not imagine when I wrote the original outlines. I've spent countless hours reflecting on and processing years of lessons about leadership, communities, values, and my own leadership journey.

At the end of each program year, our Allies participate in a Presentation of Learning, where they demonstrate before an audience of peers, Public Allies staff, and other leaders how they have learned and practiced our leadership values and describe how they will continue doing so in the future. This book is my Presentation of Learning after eighteen years with Public Allies. And these eighteen years have been an incredible learning experience.