Mentoring month reminds us that it is important to plan for the next generation of local government leaders.

To help fashion the vital new future for a downsized and restructured local government, executives
must understand that the psychological impacts of downsizing seriously exacerbate the actual reductions in resources. Employees typically feel victimized, pessimistic, overwhelmed, and resistant to any change or opportunities. An executive cannot manage an organization’s way to a new, more vital future.

Rather, an executive must spend a lot of “face time” with employees, exerting visible, confident, and optimistic leadership and then engaging employees in envisioning a new story and fulfilling

A survey of several thousand local governments and new report offer insights on advancing sustainability policies in large and small communities.