How much change has the organization undergone during your time as manager?
I would say that it has undergone quite a bit of change in terms of our approach to work, increased personal and professional development of staff and the enhanced quality of our service to the community.

When I joined the City, I found a great organization with wonderful people who were committed to providing excellent service to our residents.

In Part I of the Ten Faces of Innovation book review we explored Kelley’s description of the three learning personas. In Part II we delve into the Organizing Personas that Kelley describes: The Hurdler, The Collaborator and The Director.

“Dwindling revenue coupled with increased demand for services is something I see in many cities and counties, and it’s pushing us to be creative, flexible, and collaborative,” responds Jacobs, when asked about the challenges facing managers today. “This is a good thing, but it makes our task more challenging.”

See who is participating in the eighth year of this professional development program that contributes to successful leadership.

Troy Brown has encountered and witnessed many challenges in local government over the years, but is concerned about two issues in particular that government officials are facing more frequently, the first of which is fiscal and the second is total compensation for public employees.

This new video from the Life, Well Run Campaign highlights the value professional local government managers bring to their communities.

“I think the challenges that most managers are facing have roots in the fact that most of the public really does not understand what a municipal or county manager does and, equally important, the role that he or she plays in the success of a well-run community and the residents’ daily lives,” says Bennett.

Find out 16 ways to lead with courage.