ABSTRACT
In his research on urban revitalization and economic development, Devery Youngblood introduces the concept of “sandpaper leadership.” The sandpaper leaders are those who are often viewed by policy elites as abrasive individuals who intrude upon productive political and administrative processes with seemingly petty complaints and grievances. Yet in the long term, these sandpaper leaders turn out to add significant value to the ultimate outcome. In other words, they are rarely acknowledged as positive contributors during the actual times they provide uninvited “oversight, expose problems via media, and advocate for outcomes contrary to the carefully crafted plans of official leaders. Only with the perspective of some time passing are these sandpaper leaders widely recognized as helping to forge successful plans and policy implementation” (2015).
