As I continue connecting with residents across Medicine Hat, one message stands out loud and clear: people want leaders who listen, admit when things go wrong, and bring everyone to the table—from City Hall to businesses, schools, and nonprofits.
This idea is more than just talk. Research and real-world examples show that cities working together across different sectors do better than those that work alone, especially in creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and staying strong over time.
Why Business Backs Collaboration
Today, things change quickly, and no one group can succeed by itself. Cities do best when they work together with businesses, schools, and nonprofits on workforce development, services, and new ideas.
According to the National League of Cities (2022), partnerships between public institutions and the business community lead to faster decision-making, improved service delivery, and more responsive government. In cities like Madison and Washington, D.C., public-private partnerships have helped close skill gaps, modernize transportation, and make government more agile.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study by Pulido-Gómez et al. found that cities engaging in structured collaboration across sectors—especially during times of crisis—became more efficient, more trusted, and more resilient. The study emphasized that mutual learning, rather than mutual blame, was the key difference between successful and struggling cities.
Similarly, the Urban Institute (2023) reports that cross-sector collaborations are essential for reducing inequality and increasing upward mobility. Local economies that bring together educators, employers, and municipal leaders are better positioned to build sustainable careers for residents.
Trust is an Economic Advantage
People often talk about trust as a social value, but in building a city, trust actually gives us an edge. Investors, families, and young professionals want to live in places where leaders include everyone and work together.
I’ve seen this myself. For more than 20 years, I’ve worked with nonprofits, government, and private companies both here and abroad. I’ve learned that real leadership is not about knowing everything. It’s about building partnerships and working together to shape the future.
As someone who deeply values graduate-level research in organizational management and has consulted for municipalities and business organizations, I’ve consistently helped my clients apply these principles: honest leadership, community listening, and systems designed for people—not just policies.
Let’s Build—Together
I believe Medicine Hat can be a leader in Alberta, but we need everyone involved. That means students, seniors, small business owners, skilled tradespeople, service providers, and social entrepreneurs all have a seat at the table.
When we do this, we rebuild trust. Trust leads to growth, not just in numbers, but also in pride, opportunity, and a sense of shared purpose.
Let’s create systems that serve everyone, not just a few. And let’s keep listening, learning, and building together.
Read more at:
yusufmohammed.ca/platform-points/collaborative-honest-leadership-the-key-to-our-communitys-future
References
- National League of Cities. (2022). How Cities Can Benefit From Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Pulido-Gómez, S., de Jong, J., & Rivkin, J. (2025). Cross-sector collaboration in cities: learning journey or blame game? Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory.
- Urban Institute. (2023). Cross-Sector Community Partnerships Are Key to Boosting Upward Mobility and Equity
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