Next Gen

A few comments of instruction and guidance to the next generation of public administration leaders, in no order of importance. The first of what likely will be a series:

• Use your tech-oriented upbringing and smartphone know-how to your competitive advantage, but avoid the pitfalls of device, technology, and text “over-reliance” that is often a negative stereotype attribute of your generation.

• Take the time to know the community elements that are outside government. The parks, the 3rd places, the spots where the n’erdowells hang out, the bodegas and the fancy grocery store, the golf course, and the churches/places of worship. Social clubs, too.

• Avoid the urge to frame local decision-making in the context of some national, politically polarized context. Usually it is not.