This paper offers a brief summary of the principles of community collaboration, describes how collaboration can proceed, and explains smart governance and active listening. Michael Kinsley argues that the path to a healthy community is not paved with charismatic leadership, increasing revenues, or technical expertise. Healthy communities are not formed by a series of big, quick fixes. Rather, it’s a twisted and rocky path, found one step at a time by creative, open-minded residents who have a vision of a healthy future and a willingness to listen to those with whom they disagree. Kinsley outlines the principles of collaboration, how to achieve practical collaboration for a healthier community, what smart governance means, and how to achieve effective community leadership.