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.