Photo courtesy of Sally Mahoney

As we say goodbye to 2015 and the accomplishments that were made this year, we welcome 2016, a brand new year, with new goals, new ideas, and even greater things to achieve. When you begin to write down your New Year’s resolutions, on top of your self-developed goals, I ask that you also think about ways you, as a leader, can better serve your staff and community. Here are some of my top resolutions for leaders in the New Year:

1. Invest in continuing education

Leadership and professional development matters in this profession. If you and your staff are not already taking advantage of the leadership and professional development programs available, it is important to note that they provide a wide range of opportunities to gain and improve knowledge and skills important to your position and performance in local government. Here are three reasons why continuing education should always be a key consideration by both you and your staff:

1. You stay on top of your career. Professional development in local government distinguishes you from the rest of the crowd and puts you at the top as having acquired the highest level of professional knowledge available.
2. You become a trusted resource. Evidence of advanced knowledge in the local government profession gives a competitive edge in the field. Being someone committed to continuous learning shows the importance you place on self-improvement and knowledge.
3. It can provide a fresh perspective. Local government is complex and continuously changing, and local government professionals must be prepared to meet the needs of your community. Gaining a fresh perspective on best practices in local government can allow any professional to be open to new opportunities, strategies, and ideas.

2. Be more inclusive

If you want to continue to make a difference in the profession, drive growth, and innovate, you need to be someone that can build and manage a diverse workforce. If you have the time, I suggest that you read the characteristics of “great companies” listed in author Jim Collins’ Good to Great. You will discover ways that you can modify current practices and embrace diversity in both your organization and your community.

A great example of a leader who has built an inclusive city is Jay Covington, chief administrative officer of Renton, Washington, and recipient of a 2015 Local Government Excellence Award. He was extremely effective in getting his community and staff to cherish difference and embrace change among the many cultures that the community hosts.

3. Mentor someone

Has there been someone in your career that helped shape your life? Personally or professionally? There is a new generation of local government professionals who need leaders like yourself to help shape their careers just as someone did for you. Here are several tips I suggest from the article, Mentoring: Philosophy and Practice:

• Practice inclusion. There must be an ongoing bias on the part of the mentor to include the mentee continually in activities.
• Be patient and persevere. Remember that people often learn from failure. Good mentors know that sometimes their mentee may fail, yet they do not invoke penalties for these failures.
• Have mutual respect. Good mentors treat their mentees with kindness, respect, and honesty. These traits are reflected in how mentors communicate, provide feedback, and give instructions.
• Enjoy other’s successes. Good mentors are not fearful of the capabilities of their mentees. Rather, they take pride and glory in them.
• Sow the seed. The relationship fostered between the mentor and the mentee can be a lifelong process. It may be an opportunity for the mentee to assist the mentor in “sharpening the saw,” a process suggested by Steven Covey for staying current in our ever-changing world.

Remember that it is always a two way learning opportunity. Most mentors have described how much they learned from the relationship.

Check out other Leadership {RE}Imagined articles here.