 Coaching for City Managers
I am a professional executive coach and have spent thousands of hours working with executives in many industries and at many levels of both public and private organizations. However, as a former city manager, I have specialized knowledge and experience working with city and county executives. I’ve been in your shoes. I understand just how challenging your position can be.
Today’s complex local government operations require a combination of strong political leadership, first-rate communication skills (with Council, staff, citizens and the business community), and a relentless focus on results.
You are expected to support elected officials in the development of policy, submit for approval, manage a significant budget of public funds, and ensure the laws are enforced in a fair and equitable manner.
At the same time, you must supervise department heads and other staff, coordinate service delivery, investigate citizen complaints, seek feedback from residents and the business community, and generally manage the day-to-day operations of your city or town.
And you must do all this while demonstrating your commitment to transparent and ethical government operations.
You must manage the Council agenda – the dialogue for the entire community – you are coordinating the exchange of ideas and requests from the Council, staff, citizens and business community, ensuring that concerns are heard and acted upon in a coordinated and professional manner.
Being a city manager is one of the most demanding, stressful and difficult jobs ever created. And it can also be one of the most rewarding.You must have executive presence at all times, the ability to speak in public with no advance notice.
You must be skilled in building relationships and trust – the “people skills” needed to facilitate resolution to difficult challenges. You must be able to simplify complex issues – after all, not all Council members and citizens are engineers, lawyers and accountants.
You must be able to take the technical and put it into words and perspective that non-specialists can understand. You must be proficient in balancing patience and exceptional listening skills with the ability to be decisive. And while doing all this, you are out in the community at all hours of the day and evening, trying somehow to maintain some semblance of work-life balance.
I work with city managers on all of these issues primarily by telephone in private, one-to-one executive coaching sessions and in groups. As a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with a doctorate in leadership and communication, I work with city managers, as well as deputy- and assistant city managers and department heads to help them manage all their responsibilities – and help them hone their management, communication, influencing, supervisory, conflict resolution and leadership skills. Call today for a complimentary session – you might just gain your life and sanity back.
Contact Us Now to Get Started or Receive Your Free Leadership Analysis
P.S. The “CEO” in our name stands for coaching executives
and organizations, and we do this in partnership with our clients.
Call us today and learn how we can support you.
Copyright Laura A. Belsten, Ph.D. © 1999 – 2006
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