High Performance Government

1
High Performance Government

• Governing Body and Staff in Partnership
• John Nalbandian
• University of Kansas

2
Objectives

• Discuss community building as purpose of
  government
• Identify attributes of high performance governing
  body
• Explore obstacles to high performance
• Steps to take to improve performance

3
Attributes of the High Performance Governing Body

• Addresses difficult policy problems
• Builds capacity to work effectively together
• Develops productive relationship with staff

4
Obstacles

• Conflicting values that drive policymaking
• Conditions that make public policymaking
  difficult
• Perspectives of elected officials and staff

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Values

• RESPONSIVENESS
• Representation
• Efficiency/Professionalism
• Social Equity
• Individual Rights

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Efficiency and Politics
High
Efficiency

• Representation

• Social Equity

• Individual Rights

Low
8
Expectations and Contributions
9
Governing Body Working Conditions

• Vague Task Definition
• No Hierarchy
• No Specialization
• Little Feedback
• Open Meetings

10
Reduce uncertainty

• Know policymaking role
• Goals setting
• Problem solving techniques
• Develop norms of behavior
• Team building
• Partnership with staff

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Characteristics of Politics and Administration
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Passion and Facts
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City Managers Role

• Translate politics and administration
• Align
• Staff priorities with governing body goals
• Governing body and staff expectations and
  contributions
• Passion and data

15
Steps to Take

• Identify value conflicts
• Depersonalize issues
• Establish vision set goals
• Build team expectations
• Schedule council retreats
• Develop effective relationship with staff
• Understand political and administrative logic
• Develop translator role

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Pledge

• Say what needs to be heard
• Act in ways that need to be seen
• Seek virtues that need to be sought
• www.goodlocalgovernment.org
• nalband_at_ku.edu