This booklet is written from the perspective that small towns can survive in changing times with the right leadership. It is intended for use by educators involved with community development or by extension educators. The attitudes and behaviors of leaders are key factors that will help communities cope with change. No longer will a town survive simply because it is located next to a major highway or close to a larger city. The seven secrets are: (1) positive attitude that views change as a challenge to the community's abilities to innovate and to survive; (2) entrepreneurial spirit with which the community is willing to take risks and to work together in learning from failures and successes; (3) a "bias for action" by which people act to change their community, rather than waiting for others to tell them what to do; (4) focus on controllable factors, rather than worrying about forces outside of community control; (5) planning for development rather than "drifting toward an uncertain future"; (6) strategic outlook in searching opportunities where others see threats; and (7) vision for the future that helps community articulate what the community is to be like in 5, 10, or even 25 years. (ALL)