Leadership Program

Leadership Coaching for Sustainable Community Development Curriculum Overview

Haiti Outreach’s Leadership unique coaching program, developed by our Haitian staff, is designed to cultivate transformational change in Haitian communities so that leaders can be effective and move forward in advancement of their communes instead of being frustrated at the lack of systematic integrity. The program does not rely on rigid, formal training structures; instead, it embraces a flexible, informal approach that adapts to the unique needs and challenges of each community. By fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and personal accountability, this curriculum equips leaders with the skills necessary to drive sustainable development.

Unlike traditional leadership programs that focus solely on technical skills, this training prioritizes personal and community-wide transformation. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, engage with new ideas, and take ownership of solutions rather than depending on external aid.

Core Leadership Curriculum Ideas

Ownership & Vision-Driven Leadership

Rather than simply providing technical solutions, this program empowers leaders to define their own vision for sustainable water access and broader community progress. Leadership is about facilitating a shared vision, guiding collective efforts, and fostering long-term responsibility.

  • Leaders learn to take ownership rather than waiting for external interventions.

  • They develop skills to align community efforts toward clear, actionable goals.

  • The approach builds confidence and trust, ensuring that water and sanitation projects remain functional and sustainable.

Shifting from Reasons to Responsibility

Many challenges in Haitian governance stem from a culture of blame and inaction. This training instills a mindset shift:

  • "Reasons" are excuses that justify inaction and shift blame to external factors.

  • "Responsibility" means owning outcomes, regardless of challenges, and focusing on solutions.

  • Leaders are taught to ask, “What can I do to address this?” instead of waiting for someone else to act.

By embracing responsibility over reasons, leaders break cycles of dependency and begin driving real change.

Establishing a Common Leadership Language

To foster cohesive teamwork and effective governance, leaders must speak a shared leadership language. The curriculum introduces four foundational leadership principles:

Existence (Awareness & Acknowledgment)

  • Leaders can only solve problems they are aware of.

  • Documenting challenges and creating written action plans turns awareness into accountability.

Enrollment (Building a Shared Vision)

  • Leadership is not about working alone—it’s about inspiring others to take ownership.

  • Leaders learn to engage and enroll others in their vision, ensuring that change continues even when individual leaders step away.

Integrity (Keeping Commitments & Building Trust)

  • Personal integrity: Following through on commitments.

  • Systemic integrity: Ensuring that governance structures, community rules, and financial systems function transparently and reliably.

Relationships (Collaboration & Trust-Building)

  • Leadership is not individualistic—it is relational.

  • Solutions succeed when communities are engaged and aware of their role in sustaining progress.

By implementing these principles, leaders enhance trust, accountability, and long-term collaboration in their communities.

Breakdowns vs. Problems: A Mindset Shift

In Haitian culture, calling something a "problem" implies that it is unsolvable. This training encourages leaders to reframe problems as "breakdowns"—challenges that can and should be resolved through action.

  • A "problem" leads to passivity and resignation.

  • A "breakdown" invites solutions and encourages a proactive mindset.

This simple language shift fosters a culture where leaders seek solutions instead of accepting failure.