Pathways into place-based work

This map shows different ways people contribute to place-based work – individually and collectively. It helps you orient yourself in the work, based on where you are right now. You can start anywhere. Follow what feels familiar, or explore other ways of getting involved. Click a pathway or practice point to explore further.

Don’t know where to start? Visit the landing pages for Collective pathways and Individual pathways to get a sense for the different parts of the map.

Pathways Map - Key

This map shows different ways people contribute to place-based work - individually and collectively - and where those forms of work connect.

Colours

Green - Individual pathways

Red - Collective pathways

Pathways

Each colour contains three pathways.

Pathways represent different ways of contributing, not stages or levels.

Practice points

Each circle represents a practice within a pathway.

Select a highlighted practice point to explore reflections, activities and resources.

You can visit practices in any order and return to them at any time.

Overlaps

The blue highlighted areas show where individual and collective pathways connect.

These highlight shared practices that influence both personal contribution and the wider conditions for place-based work.

Overlaps are shared ground, not additional steps.

How to use the map

There is no start or end.

Begin wherever feels most relevant to you.

Explore one pathway or move between several.

The map is designed for exploration rather than a fixed sequence.

Leading with purpose

Leadership in place-based work grows through relationships. It involves using your experience to support others, strengthen what is already happening and share responsibility.

Leading with purpose means staying clear about what matters in your place, and allowing that to guide your decisions as your role and influence grow.

Reflect on:

the values or cultural responsibilities that shape how you make decisions in your place

what is drawing you toward greater responsibility

what you want your leadership to support or strengthen

how your role can strengthen others and contribute to your community.

Small step

Write one or two sentences about what guides your leadership in your place. Return to it when things feel complex. If it feels right, share it with someone you trust and ask what they notice in your actions.

Go deeper

Advocacy Toolkit (Western Australian Council of Social Service, 2024) offers practical guidance for community-led advocacy, including approaching decision-makers, shaping messages and influencing systems while staying grounded in local priorities. The toolkit is useful when leadership involves bringing community insight into public conversations or collective action.

Six top tips to master leadership (Australian Public Service Commission, 2025) highlights practical behaviours such as building trust, stepping aside and supporting others to lead.

Collaborative Governance: An introductory practice guide (Collaboration for Impact, 2020) explores how groups share power, make decisions together and lead collectively in practice.

Return to 'Stepping into local leadership'

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