ABSTRACT
The life of a city or county manager is never dull. Successful managers must be diplomats, coaches, mediators, leaders, psychologists, and team players. They interact with the widest spectrum of the community: governing board members, their staff, happy and disgruntled citizens, other governments, developers, and neighborhood groups, to name but a few. Managers make a host of decisions daily. Some are easy “no-brainer” choices; others, though, require the wisdom of Solomon. Like elected officials, managers know too well that they cannot please everyone all of the time. The rewards, however, are great: a paved road in a dusty neighborhood; a new community center; neighborhood groups reducing crime hand in hand with police officers; volunteer firefighters responding to emergencies; potable, high-quality water; disease prevention; a thriving recreation program; sanitary restaurants; and a bonded community.
