MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Leadership

Tapping the Power of Emerging Leaders for Climate Resilience

April 19, 2022 by Kif Scheuer , Mackenzie Bolger
Category: Guest Author , Leadership , Climate Change

CivicSpark is a service program that pairs talented young adult Fellows with local governments, state agencies, Tribes, and nonprofits to tackle climate-related projects, research, and programs. It is expanding to Washington State and accepting applications for the 2022-23 year.

Don’t Do That! Part Two

February 1, 2017 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

Part 2 of this 2-part series on the “worst” leadership habits identifies at least one, agreed-upon bad habit that leaders everywhere should avoid at all costs.

Don’t Do That! Part One

January 25, 2017 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

There's plenty of space devoted to what makes a good leader but the habits and characteristics of poor leaders are equally compelling. This post, 1 of a 2-part series, summarizes what various observers identify as the habits and practices most leaders should take care to avoid.

Local Leadership: When the Professional and the Personal Collide

October 17, 2016 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

Government leaders who live and work in their community can enjoy a host of benefits, such as enhanced relationships with constituents, but what happens when the line between the public persona and the private one blurs? Using his own experiences as a city administrator, Lynn Norby discusses the lessons he learned in trying to balance the personal with the professional.

Is Leadership Overrated?

June 11, 2015 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

Sometimes true leadership means being a good follower.

3d render of top ten chart on white background

The Ultimate Leadership Top Ten List

July 15, 2014 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

We’re good at making lists. Any time spent on one of the Internet search engine home pages will reveal at least one “Top Ten This” or “15 Things That” of one kind or another, every day. Recently, looking...

Off With His Head!

June 5, 2014 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

Should you fire a person who makes a mistake? Perhaps it depends, but this article argues that exposing and correcting the mistake fits right into the Lean management cycle and provides an opportunity to improve.

Leadership: An Inherent or an Acquired Skill?

February 28, 2014 by Stan Finkelstein
Category: Guest Author , Leadership

In the November 2013 issue of the Council/Commission Advisor, I acknowledged that the citizenry expects its elected officials to possess strong and effective leadership skills. I further described what I believe is leadership; its characteristics and the attributes of successful leaders. What I did not delve into is the age old issue...

richard_sherman_and_pete_carroll_in_embrace_super_bowl_xlviii1.jpg

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

February 19, 2014 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

With the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win this year, much has been written about the successful coaching style of Pete Carroll. Indeed, from a leadership perspective, there are few, if any, better examples of effective leadership than...

What Every Project Needs to Succeed

January 31, 2014 by Eric Svaren
Category: Guest Author , Leadership

At a large public institution, a high-profile team is on the verge of implosion. Morale is abysmal. The team has broken into factions. Because this team deals with the most complicated, high stakes situations in the institution, the team's problems have pushed people's level of stress through the roof. Gossip is rampant. People are afraid of being attacked. Some team members won't talk to one...

The Keys to Becoming a "Leader"

October 31, 2013 by Stan Finkelstein
Category: Guest Author , Leadership

In this era of declining approval ratings for national, state and local leaders, strong and effective leadership is one of those qualities that the citizenry is seeking from its elected officials. This article will explore the questions of what is leadership; what are the characteristics and attributes of leadership; how can elected officials become leaders and re-instill confidence in...

Flying Lessons for Leaders and Managers

September 3, 2013 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

I’ve always been fascinated by powered flight. From the earliest days of aviation to the heroes that pushed the boundaries of technology and braved combat high above the earth, it has been a lifelong interest. I think there are some “flying lessons” every manager can use on the ground or in the air.

A macro shot of the word "Inspire" from the dictionary

Making a Difference

April 19, 2013 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

I've always held the opinion that most of my colleagues in public management and, indeed most public employees, are generally motivated by a call to service. To borrow from an old U.S. Army recruiting slogan, “It's...

Richland City Manager Gets the Job Done with Guts, Personality, and Key-Shaped Cookies

July 16, 2012 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Leadership

Cindy Johnson, Richland City Manager since 2008, has used guts, personality and key-shaped cookies to lead the change in Richland to a high performance organization. She’s focused on developing a team of leaders to help...

Attracting the Next Generation to a Career in Local Government

July 5, 2012 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Leadership

In Washington State, the average government worker is 47 years old, compared to 39 years old for private sector workers. A new generation of local leadership is beginning to step forward, but will local government be able to attract the best and brightest to public service?

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