CCLA Leadership Academy Political Astuteness CCLA Leadership Academy July 19, 2018 Dr. Frank Benest frank@frankbenest.com Eileen Beaudry eileenbeaudry@gmail.com

Graduation! Our goals for Academy Perspectives from two graduates Certificates & photo with your entire city team Each graduate shares “one key learning or take-away” Group photo Refreshments & networking

Three Reactors for Today What resonated with me?

Team Project Run Through Volunteer Timekeeper 20 Minute Presentation

Team Project Run Through Presentation (15-20 minutes) Content Questions (5 minutes) Emerging Leaders Executive Sponsors Presentation Suggestions (5 minutes) Executive Sponsor

Overview Team Presentation Dry Run 2nd Team Presentation Debrief Third Coaching Convo Two Different Worlds—Policy & Admin Thinking Politically/Acting Non-Politically Responding to “Political Ideas”

Overview (con’t) Steve Falk—Career journey & case study TED.com video—Brene Brown Leveraging your Academy Experience Reaction Panel Graduation Ceremony

Debrief 3RD Coaching Convo What did you like about the conversation? What was inspiring, surprising… New ideas or insights? Was anything uncomfortable?

Policy vs. Administration Two different worlds Two different mindsets Go to worksheet

Two Different Worlds Two mindsets The overlap The role of senior managers in navigating the relationship Key question: How do we become more effective in playing in policy world?

Think Politically/Act Non-Politically VS.

Think Politically/Act Non-Politically Thinking politically a. Practice “positive regard”—acknowledge values, goals, desires, & reference groups of politician b. Debrief governing board meetings c. Develop rapport with political actors d. Ask policy-makers why they voted the way they did e. Start with the “why” f. Frame the issue

Think Politically/Act Non-Politically Thinking politically (con’t) g. Tie ideas to larger agendas h. Identify & use language that resonates i. Engage reference group members & constituencies j. Consider the “best” communicators & presenters k. Tell the story l. Know when to push forward or pull back m. Get political guidance

Think Politically/Act Non-Politically Acting Non-Politically a. Treating all governing board members equally b. Providing info to all—elected officials & interest groups c. Respecting political views of governing board members & acknowledging their interests d. Providing professional analysis & options

Think Politically/Act Non-Politically Acting Non-Politically (con’t) e. Making professional recommendations in best interests of community & organization f. Avoiding the taking of sides in policy disputes g. Accepting & supporting political decisions

Responding to “Political” Ideas Options “Sure” “No” “Yes but. . .” “Yes and. . .”

Police Oversight Typical oversight by City Manager Enhancements Racial profile data & reports Video of all encounters Demands of activists Direct Council oversight Citizen Oversight Commission Council Member’s suggestion

Police Oversight (con’t) What were Frank’s values? What did Frank do? How could have Frank responded to this “political” idea?

My Career Journey Steve Falk, City Manager, Lafayette

Case Study Political Astuteness Critique What went well? What did not go so well? What can we learn for future practice?

The Power of Vulnerability

Accelerating My Development “Given my learning in the Academy & my self-reflection, what would be a powerful development experience to amp up my leadership capability going forward?” “How do I get this development experience?”

Further Development Seek out new “stretching” assignments Schedule conversations with coach plus other senior managers about leveraging your Academy experience for good of organization Participate in ICMA Coaching Program webinars Get coach(es)--check out “Coaches Gallery” www.icma.org/coaching

Further Development (con’t) Consider MMANC Credentialed Govt Leader Program or ICMA Emerging Leaders Development Program Check out Management Talent Exchange Program (MTEP) & “Tomorrow’s Dept Head Forum” www.NextGenSiliconValley.org Become member of MMANC & ICMA www.mmanc www.icma.org

Leverage Academy Experience Go back & review material & apply to current challenges De-brief everything & apply to future practice Use Academy participants & presenters as part of your network Get involved in “alumni” activities Encourage colleagues to apply to Academy Include Academy on your resume Use Academy experience as springboard for further learning

Reaction Panel What resonated with me? What did not resonate with me? What do I have to add?

Congratulations!