In today’s dynamic world of parks and recreation, effective leadership is more essential than ever. This field plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in our communities, yet the challenges facing our teams—staffing, burnout, and ever-evolving public needs—require intentional leadership grounded in purpose. Drawing from my book, Leading with Purpose: Achieving Your Highest Potential in Work and Life, this article explores how leaders in parks and recreation can lead with authenticity, clarity, and impact.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles that shaped my leadership philosophy—from Adventure Recreation Supervisor for Columbus Recreation and Parks, to Recreation Specialist at Lake Metroparks, to Outdoor Adventure Coordinator at Kent State University, to NC 4-H Camping Specialist at NC State University. I’ve also had the privilege of co-founding the Friends of Johnston County Parks in North Carolina, where we’ve worked to build strong community partnerships and elevate local outdoor-recreation opportunities. Across each of these roles, one truth has remained constant: leadership is less about authority and more about purposefully empowering others.
Leading with Self-Awareness and Clarity
Purposeful leadership starts with self-awareness. As parks and recreation professionals, we must first understand our values, strengths, and motivations before we can effectively lead others. During my time at Kent State, I facilitated team-building experiences that helped students identify their leadership style. I saw firsthand how powerful it was when emerging leaders connected their personal purpose to their work—whether leading an adventure trip on the weekend or planning a special event.
Chris Hendricks, who now serves as a Lecturer of Outdoor Leadership at NC State University, served as our Adventure Center Graduate Assistant during my time at Kent State. He wrote the business plan for Crooked River Adventures canoe/kayak livery on the Cuyahoga River in downtown Kent, a partnership with the City of Kent, Parks and Recreation, while earning his MBA degree. "Working as a graduate assistant put me into a leadership role early in my career and shaped me into the leader I am today. It taught me that leadership is more than just guiding others—it’s about constantly growing yourself, understanding your core values and creating a shared vision. That experience gave me a foundation I still lean on today, and inspired me to lead and mentor others the same way. Great mentors and significant leadership opportunities help young professionals to build confidence, discover their voice, and understand what it means to support and grow others," says Hendricks.
Leaders in our field should take the time to reflect regularly: What drives me to serve? How do I want to be remembered by my team? What type of legacy do I want to leave in my department or community? These questions aren’t just philosophical—they shape the way we communicate, make decisions, and manage change.
Creating a Culture of Trust and Engagement
One of the key principles I share in Leading with Purpose is the importance of building a culture where people feel valued, supported, and heard. This became especially clear during my time with Columbus Recreation and Parks, where I oversaw a team of seasonal staff managing outdoor adventure programming. The most successful seasons were the ones where we intentionally built a culture of trust—from daily check-ins to celebrating team wins, even the small ones.
In parks and recreation, we often focus on serving our external communities, but we must also take care of our internal communities—our teams. Leaders can inspire engagement by recognizing individual contributions, aligning people’s strengths with the right roles, and offering meaningful development opportunities. Purpose-driven leadership doesn’t just boost morale; it leads to better service delivery and stronger retention.
Communicating with Intention
Communication is the cornerstone of leadership. In every position I’ve held, from fieldwork to administrative roles, I’ve learned that clear and consistent communication helps reduce conflict and build credibility. Whether delivering feedback, facilitating a staff meeting, or responding to community concerns, purposeful leaders communicate with empathy and transparency.
During my time as a Recreation Specialist at Lake Metroparks, I coordinated outdoor programs across multiple sites and worked closely with staff and volunteers. What I learned is listening is just as important as speaking. Taking the time to understand the concerns of a volunteer, or to brainstorm with a seasonal team member, built trust and led to better teamwork. Leaders must create space for dialogue and model open, two-way communication at all levels.
Leading Through Change
Change is inevitable in our field—budgets shift, staff roles evolve, and community needs expand. One of the key takeaways I highlight in Leading with Purpose is great leaders don’t just react to change—they guide others through it. During my time helping launch the Friends of Johnston County Parks, we worked with multiple stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the organization. It wasn’t always easy—there were growing pains and differing perspectives—but we stayed focused on our purpose and brought people together around a common goal.
Derrick Applewhite, Jr., who serves as the Senior Government Affairs Associate and Lobbyist for the NC League of Municipalities, helped start Friends of Johnston County Parks. He works across party lines and across the state to advocate for stronger communities. According to Applewhite, Jr., “We launched Friends of Johnston County Parks in October 2020, right in the heart of a once-in-a-generation pandemic. Despite unprecedented challenges, our vision was clear: to unite our community through greater access to parks, recreation, and open spaces. From the very beginning, our founding team recognized that the world was changing rapidly around us. We responded by embracing new ways to connect, like leveraging online platforms, meeting outdoors, and designing creative events that brought people together in meaningful ways. Over the years, priorities have shifted and leadership has evolved, but our commitment to our mission has never wavered. Change is constant, but our mission continues to guide us forward.”
When facing change, leaders should return to purpose: Why are we making this change? Who will be affected and how can we support them? What values should guide our decisions? Leading with purpose helps teams stay grounded and resilient, even during uncertainty.
Investing in People
Perhaps the most important leadership lesson I’ve learned is this: people matter most. As leaders, our job isn’t only to manage tasks—it’s to grow people. I’ve been fortunate to mentor colleagues, support new professionals, and facilitate leadership development across the state through my current role with NC State Extension. I’ve seen the ripple effect that intentional mentorship and support can have.
When we invest in our people—by listening to their goals, encouraging their growth, and modeling work-life balance—we create stronger teams and more sustainable organizations. Leadership is a long game. It’s not just about the next program or budget cycle; it’s about the future of our field and the lives we touch along the way.
A Call to Lead with Purpose
The parks and recreation profession is filled with passionate, talented individuals who are making a real difference every day. But to sustain our impact, we must lead with intention. By knowing ourselves, investing in our teams, communicating with care, and staying grounded in purpose, we can rise to meet the challenges of today—and shape a brighter, more connected future for our communities.
Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice. And the choice to lead with purpose is one that will always make a difference.
