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Creating a culture of continuous improvement, or what a #2 pencil taught me about innovation

June 5, 2019 By Ryan Hunter

San Francisco LEAN Process

By Ryan Hunter After years of work untangling government bureaucracy, we at the City Performance Lean Program have a secret to share: the most lasting change comes not from a software implementation or a strategic plan, but from engaging employees to improve the nitty-gritty, on-the-ground, day-to-day work. City Performance, a division of the San Francisco […]

Filed Under: Construct, Perspectives, SF/Peninsula/South Bay/Monterey Bay, Transportation & Parking

The High Cost of Millennial Trash Talk

February 16, 2018 By Miranda Lutzow

  Through my work with organizations like MMANC and ICMA, I have the opportunity to meet like-minded peers and compare our experiences working for local government. Last month, I was speaking to someone who knew that I work in human resources and she wanted my thoughts on how to handle a particular situation.  We’ll call […]

Filed Under: Grow, Human Resources, Legal, Perspectives

Why Emotional Intelligence is One of The Top Skills in Demand

August 10, 2017 By Conrad Fernandes

In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with the world that no longer exists – Eric Hoffer  The last 20 years have seen unprecedented changes in the way we live and learn. Twenty years ago, laptops were considered a luxury and smartphones had not yet […]

Filed Under: Lead, Perspectives

Don’t just let it happen – Take charge of your Wiki!

April 25, 2017 By Irene Camacho

Do you know what is on your city’s Wikipedia page?  When the City of Windsor looked at theirs they realized there was opportunity for improvement. The Wikipedia page for the Town of Windsor was populated with old information and links to outdated and negative newspaper articles. With so much on the internet driven by user-provided content, […]

Filed Under: Communication, Govern, Perspectives, Public Engagement

An Opinion Piece: Lighting a Fire Under Proposition 13

November 19, 2016 By Bryan Scott

Navigating the politics of local government funding can be treacherous.  City Managers are challenged to bring together their ambitions for their cities, the demographics of unique populations, and the realities of incoming revenues and expenditures. Few would argue that assuring public safety is one of the primary objectives of local government.   But what happens when […]

Filed Under: Perspectives

How to Develop a Strong and Productive Mentor/Mentee Relationship

October 7, 2016 By Lydia Rossiter

Two people climbing mountain ridge, one assisting another over the top ridge.

A mentor/mentee relationship can be immensely rewarding for both people. But how do you get to know each other, build trust, have productive meetings, and continue to have a beneficial, ongoing connection? Jennifer and Lydia met through MMANC’s Credentialed Government Leader program, where Jennifer was Lydia’s mentor. Together they created tips for mentors/ mentees to […]

Filed Under: Career Planning, Communication, Grow, Human Resources, Lead, Managing People, Perspectives, Uncategorized Tagged With: career, career advancement, development, growth, mentoring

Exploring the Remote Work Model Has Amazing Possibilities

July 1, 2016 By Lydia Rossiter

Exploring the Remote Work Model Has Amazing Possibilities From my perspective, remote work is still a relatively new model in local government but, the concept is one with great possibilities both for permanent and temporary jobs. When I was with the City of Santa Cruz, I participated in the telework pilot in 2013-14, working at […]

Filed Under: Govern, Human Resources, Managing People, Perspectives

Career Compass No. 50: Storytelling–A Powerful Way to Lead and Communicate

July 1, 2016 By Frank Benest

June 1, 2016 I’m a traffic engineer in a small midwestern city. I just had a difficult experience presenting a mobility safety plan to my city council. I did a lot of research on best practices to better protect pedestrians and bicyclists along a fairly busy street, while still maintaining reasonable traffic flow. As part […]

Filed Under: Career Planning, Communication, Govern, Grow, Human Resources, Lead, Managing People, Perspectives, Uncategorized

MMANC Podcast: ICMA’s Pat Martel on Leadership, City Management and Karaoke

October 22, 2015 By Admin

Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC) President and City of Sacramento Community Development Director Ryan DeVore sits down with International City/County Management Association (ICMA) President and Daly City City Manager Pat Martel to discuss leadership, city management, karaoke and Pat’s journey.  The interview was conducted in person on October 15, 2015 at the 65th […]

Filed Under: Communication, Lead, Perspectives, Places, SF/Peninsula/South Bay/Monterey Bay Tagged With: daly city, karaoke, leadership, martel, podcast

Beyond Raising the Rainbow Flag: Opportunities for Municipalities to Build Capacity Around Diversity and Inclusion

August 20, 2015 By Monica Davis

  Rainbow flags flew high in front of city halls across California for the month of June in honor of pride month. This act of acknowledgment and solidarity is comforting to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community and particularly welcoming for LGBTQ municipal employees. However, year-round acceptance and support for employees within the […]

Filed Under: Govern, Human Resources, Lead, Managing People, Perspectives Tagged With: cultural sensitivity, diversity, employees, human resources, inclusion, LGBTQ, training

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