On July 1, the City of Los Angeles will see the most significant turnover of leadership in a dozen years. This turnover should bring new hope and a renewed energy for engagement in the civic arena. I have had the honor of working with many elected leaders across the country in my 40 years representing the business community. Getting a good start is important, which is why I offer our newly elected officials this bit of unsolicited advice:
- Lead as if you can only serve one term — Decide now what you would like to be known for at the end of four years. Many elected officials get in the habit of simply responding to one crisis after another. Set a handful of critical priorities and drive toward accomplishment.
- Set performance goals for the City — You were elected to serve a broader constituency than your friends and the people who campaigned and contributed to you. Work with your fellow elected officials to establish goals for our city and set measurable metrics by which to judge success.
- Focus on good government and the economics of running the City, not just politics — Getting elected and governing are two completely different skill sets. Officials who are constantly running for office have a tough time making the hard decisions necessary to lead a great city.
- When selecting people to fill positions focus on talent, not politics. People who are smart and driven will be a huge part of your success. Beware of yes-men/women. Surround yourself with people who aren’t afraid to challenge or question the path you are taking. They will keep you grounded and focused.
- Try not to take things personally — Government and politics is a full contact sport and there will be many disagreements with other elected officials and community stakeholders. If you retain your focus on the goal of improving our city, at the end of the day, disagreements will make the quality of your work even better.
- Don’t let it go to your head — Just because people treat you differently because they want something from you doesn’t mean that you should start feeling more important than the average person you meet. It is still important to show up on time for appointments and to treat others with courtesy and respect.
- Keep your sense of humor — Life is short and your new job will create physical and emotional stress in your life. Don’t lose the ability to laugh. Laughter can be a powerful tool in building relationships.
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and our 1,600 members and their 700,000 employees are excited to work with our new city leaders. Together we can create jobs, grow our local economy and ensure a positive quality of life for all. Congratulations and welcome. Now, let’s get to it!