Collaboration from Vision to Momentum: The Leadership Skill Every Changemaker Must Master

by Jerome D. Ryans, President & CEO, Tampa Housing Authority

The ability to lead is often measured by one's capacity to unify others around a common purpose. At the Tampa Housing Authority, transformational change has never been the result of a single voice-it has instead been rooted in collective strength, which comes from partnerships.

Whether restoring communities through public-private redevelopment or guiding youth through mentorship programs, we have achieved measurable impact by forging strategic alliances across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These efforts demonstrate that leaders must not only articulate a vision, but also know how to gather others around it.

To assist fellow leaders seeking to elevate their influence through partnerships, I offer five principles that have shaped our approach and may serve others in similar pursuits:

1. Invest in Strategic Networking

Every relationship begins with a conversation. Meaningful partnerships require purposeful outreach. Serving on boards for organizations such as the Westshore Alliance, Urban Land Institute, Leadership Hillsborough, Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, and the Local Housing Administrators Coalition, for example, has allowed our executive team to stay engaged in critical local and national conversations, forging connections that often led to shared initiatives, which extended our impact well beyond our immediate reach.

2. Serve First, Then Lead

True leadership is demonstrated through service. Participation in community and industry organizations must be rooted in a desire to contribute, not only to influence. Many of our most enduring partnerships began when we showed up simply to support others' efforts. Investing our time and talent in service, we acquired the necessary knowledge and earned the credibility to lead collaborative ventures.

3. Clarify the Vision and Refine the Narrative

People will not rally behind ambiguity. A compelling vision must be clear, and it must be communicated in a way that resonates, tailored for the audience. Storytelling is an essential tool in garnering support. During the transformation of ENCORE! Tampa and West River, we communicated not just construction goals, but a long-term vision for equity, inclusion, and opportunity. Our partners responded because they saw themselves in that story.

4. Build Initiatives on Common Ground

The most successful collaborations are built on aligned values and complementary strengths. Our redevelopment efforts succeeded because each partner-from developers to banks and retailers like The Related Group, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and Publix-brought unique assets to the table. We achieved more together than any single organization could have accomplished alone.

5. Sustain Relationships with Integrity and Shared Ownership

Strong partnerships endure when built on trust. At the Tampa Housing Authority, transparency and accountability guide every phase of our work. We nurture relationships with honesty, consistency, and a willingness to share both responsibility and recognition. Our collaborations reflect that ethos.

Leadership in the public arena requires more than vision-it demands the ability to align others with that vision and move forward together. Those who commit to partnership as a core discipline will find themselves leading not just projects, but movements that last.