External culture acts as a powerful force on rural community colleges and the presidents that lead them. This article is concerned with external culture and its impact on a rural community college president. Interviews with 15 senior leaders explored the typical mindsets and values existing in a rural setting. Findings indicate that to improve the likelihood of success, a rural president may require certain traits and characteristics beyond those traditionally possessed by an organizational leader. Situational awareness, the ability to tell the story, and rural roots can help a rural president respect, embrace, and--finally--assimilate into the lifestyle of local constituents. (Contains 1 table.)