In this issue of Career Compass, Dr. Benest shows us how opening up can move us forward.

"ICMA is an access point for and a filter of ideas that are important to the profession and beyond. Since none of our communities operate in a vacuum, it’s nice to have a place to gather, whether virtually or in person, to discuss the topic of the day."

Book Review by Greg Stopka, Central Regional Director

Interview by Pamela Muse, Western Regional Director with Craig Kocian, City Manager, City of Arvada, CO

Emergenetics is a personal development tool for understanding human behavior and the unique differences in the way people approach work and life.

One of the best ways to launch a successful Social Media program is to ensure that the program aligns with your organization’s overall mission and strategic objectives. Having the SM team review a management tool such as a balanced scorecard or six sigma initiative is a critical success factor. I have seen many organizations lack this alignment, and this in turn leads to inadequate ROI and a pullback from using SM applications.

The examples in this article demonstrate the impact and importance of utilizing technology to successfully stretch beyond traditional means to tackle challenging problems, build community and foster a civic culture.