In this article, ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O’Neill, Jr., asserts that the mayor-manager conundrum allegedly taking place among larger U.S. cities – which pits strong political leadership against managerial leadership and effectiveness--is not and should not be an "either/or" proposition. In order for a community to be successful, it needs strong political leadership, strong policy development, a relentless focus on execution and results, a commitment to transparent and ethical government, and a strategy for representing and engaging every segment of the community. (Council-Manager Form Resource Package)