When Loyalty Gets Complicated in Local Government - Generation on the Rise shows us some heat!

Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, Brandon, Dave, and Eden tackle the complex topic of workplace loyalty in local government. The hosts debate what loyalty means in practice, whether it’s connected to tenure, and how it differs from professionalism. The conversation takes an unexpected turn into residency requirements, sparking passionate disagreement about whether living in the community you serve impacts your work. As they wrap up 2024, the hosts announce exciting changes coming in 2025, including guest appearances.Generation on the Rise is produced by Nancy Hess (Publisher of MuniSquare) and features Eden Ratliff (Middletown Township Manager, Bucks County PA), Brandon Ford (Lower Merion Assistant Township Manager, Montgomery County PA, and Dave Pribulka (Bellefonte Borough Manager, Centre County PA)MuniSquare is a reader-supported publication. To subscribe to this feed, receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes:What does workplace loyalty mean in local government?The connection (or disconnection) between loyalty and tenureICMA’s two-year standard and generational shifts in career mobilityProfessionalism vs. loyalty: which matters more?The heated residency debate: does living in your community change your recommendations?Small town dynamics vs. larger municipalitiesLooking ahead: Generation on the Rise adds guests in 2025!Timestamps:00:00 - Cold open: ICMA’s two-year standard discussion01:00 - Holiday gift assembly war stories05:00 - Defining workplace loyalty in local government08:00 - The role of personal affinity in job selection11:00 - Measuring loyalty: what does it look like?15:00 - The two-year standard and its implications18:00 - Why managers move more frequently now22:00 - ICMA’s two-year standard revisited27:00 - Loyalty vs. professionalism in difficult decisions31:00 - The residency debate begins40:00 - Does living in your community affect recommendations?46:00 - Generational differences in mobility and commitment50:00 - Episode wrap-up and 2025 announcement