City Manager

Guiding Principles of the Management Philosophy

1. PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN

The plan needs to be driven by:

• Engagement (employee, resident, customer)
• Data that focuses on outcomes

2. INPUT-ORIENTED

Team members should take advantage of the valuable input that can be provided by residents and employees for department decision-making.

Themes for effective use of the guiding principles

• Believe that people of all cultures and backgrounds provide valuable input
• Understand the benefits of receiving input from others
• Develop the processes that capitalize on the input of others, and work to remove barriers to participation
• Understand the benefits of empowering others
• Seek first to understand and then to be understood – Steven Covey
• Motivate staff and encourage employee initiative

3. PROBLEM SOLVERS

Team members’ approach to issues should be to focus on what can be done to solve the problem.

Themes for effective use of the guiding principles

• Create processes that help others be more creative problem solvers
• Perceive problems as opportunities
• Look to others to help solve problems
• Develop an understanding of the various cultural approaches to conflict and learn skills to adapt
• Encourage risk-taking
• Practice flexibility and assume good intent from participants with whom you disagree
• Understand that bureaucracies function best in black and white issues, while most issues are varying shades of gray

4. DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS

Team members can be more effective by developing partnerships with other departments and outside organizations.

Themes for effective use of the guiding principles

• Form teams around defined tasks
• Encourage employee involvement through problem-solving task forces
• Develop team processes for decision-making and setting goals and objectives
• Facilitate the group process and develop the ability to adapt to various communication styles
• Form partnerships that reflect the variety of backgrounds and interests in the community that we serve

5. ACT WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY

Management Style: Socratic

Success is about People, Planning and Partnerships leading to desired outcomes.

People

• Establish a culture of quality customer service and deliver services that exceed citizen expectations.
• Invest in staff development to improve leadership capacity and increase leadership effectiveness.
• Attract, engage and retain a high quality, creative and diverse workforce.
• Promote and invest in employee health and safety.

Planning

Work with all City departments and divisions to perform the duties and responsibilities specified in the City Charter to ensure economic prosperity, environmental/ecological integrity and social/cultural vibrancy exist throughout the community and are incorporated into daily activities.

Partnerships

• Develop and foster over 50 Local, State, Regional, Federal and National partnerships to implement the City Council’s community vision.
• Increase citizen engagement in local governance processes
• Develop team-processes that lead to innovative solutions for community challenges and opportunities

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