You’ve seen it firsthand: the tension in public meetings, the polarization online, and the exhaustion that comes from navigating constant conflict. Incivility is not new, but it has become a defining challenge of local government leadership today.

For public administrators, guiding a community now means more than managing resources or balancing budgets. It means helping people see possibility beyond frustration and collaborating to solve important community issues.  

That’s the focus of Love Your Enemies, the opening general session at this year’s ICMA Annual Conference, featuring Arthur C. Brooks, Harvard professor and author known for his work on leadership, happiness, and human connection.

From Outrage to Understanding

Brooks describes today’s environment as a “culture of contempt.” It’s not just that people disagree; it’s that many have come to view those disagreements with disdain. For local government professionals working to build trust, that mindset is more than a social issue. It’s a barrier to progress.

Public servants face this reality every day: listening to residents who talk past each other, working with divided councils, and trying to maintain optimism in the face of fatigue. Brooks offers a roadmap, grounded in behavioral science and ethics, for how leaders can replace contempt with understanding and reestablish respect as a civic norm.

“We all can love our enemies, understand each other better, and get along better as a country,” Brooks said.

That’s not a call for blind harmony. It’s a strategy for effective leadership. Disagreement will always exist. Incivility doesn’t have to.

Ethical Leadership in a Time of Incivility

Ethical leadership sets more than the organization’s direction. It shapes culture. When leaders model respect under pressure, they show their communities how to do the same. Brooks argues that empathy and strength are not opposites. Together, they form the foundation of credible leadership.

For local government leaders, that means facilitating meetings with fairness even when the tone turns tense, responding to criticism with composure, and creating space where people can disagree productively. These are not soft skills. They are essential tools for governing well in divided times.

We can't erase conflict. But we can transform how we navigate polarization and lead with courage, ethics, and purpose.

Join Us at the 2025 ICMA Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida (October 25-29)

Opening General Session: Love Your Enemies 
Featuring: Arthur C. Brooks, award-winning Harvard professor; author of Love Your Enemies 
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 1:30–3:30 p.m. 
Location: Tampa Convention Center, West Hall 
Sponsored by: MissionSquare Retirement