Everyone Leads by Paul Schmitz Summary

Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up argues that leadership is a shared action, not a formal title, emphasizing community-driven change through five core values: asset-focused approaches, diversity/inclusion, collaboration, continuous learning, and integrity. Paul Schmitz draws from his experience leading Public Allies, a nonprofit that trains diverse young leaders through apprenticeships and values-based frameworks.

Emerging leaders, nonprofit professionals, and anyone interested in inclusive leadership models. While rooted in social sector examples, its principles apply to corporate, government, or educational leaders seeking to empower teams through collaboration and equity.

Yes—it offers actionable strategies for building inclusive organizations and addressing systemic challenges. Readers gain insights into grassroots leadership development, real-world case studies, and frameworks for mobilizing community assets effectively.

1. Focus on assets (leveraging community strengths)
2. Diversity and inclusion (bridging cultural divides)
3. Collaboration (team-based problem-solving)
4. Continuous learning (adaptive feedback loops)
5. Integrity (accountability to shared values)
   These principles guide leaders to drive sustainable change.

Schmitz shifts leadership from hierarchical roles to everyday actions, emphasizing that anyone can lead by taking responsibility to mobilize others. Examples include a former gang member and a single mother who became community organizers, illustrating leadership’s democratized potential.

This approach prioritizes identifying and amplifying existing community resources—skills, cultural traditions, and local networks—rather than fixating on deficits. For example, Public Allies apprenticeships train leaders to map and activate underutilized neighborhood assets.

Through workshops like the "privilege walk," the book encourages leaders to confront systemic inequities and biases. Schmitz argues that inclusive leadership requires acknowledging power structures while fostering spaces where marginalized voices shape solutions.

Yes—Schmitz highlights adaptability across sectors. For instance, collaboration and integrity help corporate teams build trust, while asset-focused strategies improve employee engagement by recognizing individual strengths.

Continuous learning is central, with leaders encouraged to seek feedback and mentorship. Public Allies pairs apprentices with coaches to refine strategies, emphasizing that growth requires humility and iterative improvement.

Schmitz frames setbacks as learning opportunities. Leaders are taught to analyze missteps openly, adjust tactics, and maintain integrity during challenges—a mindset exemplified by Public Allies alumni navigating complex community projects.

Some note its nonprofit focus may require adaptation for corporate audiences. Critics suggest adding more private-sector case studies, though the core values remain broadly applicable.

As CEO of Public Allies since 2000, Schmitz has shaped leadership programs in 25+ cities, training 5,000+ diverse leaders. His Milwaukee chapter work and national expansion inform the book’s community-tested insights.