Graduation Season
Inspired by the stories of viral commencement speeches, I offer a short commentary to those obtaining their BA/MPA degrees and contemplating life in local government. And, no, I am not expecting this to go viral. Having taught hundreds of MPA students and coached many individual public administration leaders, here are some words of wisdom and advice:
-disregard a lot of the noise on social media lately, especially here on our beloved LinkedIn, and how bad the profession is these days. Local government management life often sits in a complex and often conflicting environment, full of contradictions. In any given moment or week or set of circumstances, it is both challenging and rewarding; heartbreaking and excitingly heart pounding; defeating and uplifting; frustrating and amazing; political and apolitical; static and innovative. However, it is indeed an incredible profession where the product of your work can leave indelible impressions, make life better for your communities and neighbors, and save and change lives. That’s weighty stuff. Weighty stuff is challenging. Know that going in, and deal with it.
-go in eyes wide open and with a thirst for additional knowledge. Find and seek answers via objective research. Be worldly, think global and act local, and read “right” and “left” political opinions on civic and governmental matters. Find and seek mentors. Stay curious. Question “best” practices and see, if indeed, you can make them better. Soak up information from professional associations and contacts. Find your brethren and your work-friend peers who you can call anytime, anywhere, and talk and walk through a difficult professional situation. Those contacts are worth their weight in gold. And reciprocate. Grow to be someone’s “phone-a-friend” first-call.
-treat the profession as a craft, as a craftsperson would in the sense of a carpenter, gaffer or potter. Be proud of your work. Hone your craft. Excel and be the best you can be in the elements (budgeting, communications, personnel relations, project management, and so forth) of your daily job responsibilities. Continue to develop yourself professionally and personally.
-lead with humility. People can spot a humblebrag and attention-seeker from a mile away. Deflect praise and take the arrows. Listen with intent. This listening part is a lost art, as I have written about in this medium previously. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Talk to your staff and co-workers. Ask for - meaning purposely solicit - feedback on your performance and expectation-meeting.
-strike the ubiquitously referenced, yet rarely successfully employed, balance of your professional obligations and life outside of work. Many a manager will perpetuate the stereotype of the woe-is-me CAO by and through their own actions, versus being more intentional and mindful of organizational, boundary, time, and calendar best practices. You have heard me ask this before - are you contributing to the very issues you’re complaining about? The best antidote I have found for this ailment is the development of hobbies, passions, interests and volunteer activities that are not-affiliated with the profession of local government management.
-and finally, and full-circle back to the profession’s challenges, stay grounded and mindful in your efforts to combat stressful situations via what I refer to as distress tolerance. If you are not a resilient person, it may not be the profession for you. Learn how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations and actually embrace these circumstances as growth-developing, armor-building, strength-forming, and “powerbank” -charging experiences.
