What makes a good elected official

If direct contact with elected officials is necessary, ensure it happens with the governing body as a whole and not on a one-on-one basis. Formalize your personnel rules and regulations.

Respect the letter and intent of this law. Keep your constituents informed through a regular editorial in the local newspaper, radio interviews, or news releases. Be friendly in your interactions with the news media.

Effective communications keep citizens engaged and fosters civic pride. Keep your city and town staff informed, particularly those on the front line who have frequent contact with the public or are in a decision-making role. Appoint citizen advisory committees as needed and be prepared to follow their advice. Appointing your opposition to a desired committee helps them work for you, instead of against you. Hire the best people you can and give them as much responsibility as they can handle.

Support and inspire them to succeed. Encourage your employees to look for new ideas and better ways of doing things. Listen to what they have to say. Remember that your municipality does not operate in a vacuum. You must work within the intergovernmental system to be effective. Keep in contact with school, county, state, and federal officials. Use the New Hampshire Municipal Association as a resource.

Disrespect, contempt, and personal attacks create unhealthy relationships that undermine sound governance. If one wishes another to fail, then everyone fails. Good relationships and sound policy serve your community; spite or pandering seldom does.

A healthy governing body knows that each person was elected by the public as individuals, but that they must work together as a team.

It also means they work constructively with others without dominating the flow of information or ideas. Their role is to debate and vote as individuals but then respect and support the decision of the majority. They are able to set aside personal interests and influences for the common good. Local leaders need to be in tune with their own emotional state and know how it affects them.

Given that they are required to make decisions in the best interests of the community — despite opposition — they must be able to withstand criticism.

Being emotionally mature means staying engaged, welcoming dissent, and not over-reacting to it. At times, it may mean coping with the intense emotions of others. Leadership means listening carefully to others with a desire to understand concerns, ideas, and perspectives. Elected officials are expected to be accessible to the community through meetings and events, and by phone and email. Commitment to clear, diverse, and regular communication with the community is key.

Elected officials should consider how to best limit shifting a problem into the future by maintaining a long-term perspective and considering the potential impact of decisions. Never underestimate the mental preparation required to make decisions about the long-term sustainability of a community. To give them the tools to do this, I urge all elected officials in the U. The training I offer all about overcoming confirmation bias, engaging in productive conflict, adopting a positive mindset, and taking people with you, would be especially beneficial to our elected officials and of course all aspiring leaders.

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