Manager Brothers: Lessons Learned

Managing a local government has its challenges but it also has its rewards. In the final episode of this season, Gregg and Jae share some of the awesome things they have been able to experience during their careers.

Jae and Gregg share observations from their respective assignments as local government interim managers.

Should members of the governing body be able to contact department heads without going through the manager? Gregg and Jae explore this question and consider the opportunities and challenges that these interactions can present.

Jae and Gregg conclude their series on municipal manager employment agreements by examining duration, breach of contract, and indemnification provisions.

Gregg and Jae continue their examination of municipal manager employment agreements. In this episode, they discuss vacation leave provisions, pensions and deferred compensation plans, and car allowances.

Jae and Gregg reflect on the "family business" of public service, linking their careers in local and state government to those of their siblings, represented by their guest Kevin Guetschow.

In the second episode devoted to employment contracts, Gregg and Jae discuss issues related to contract terminations.

Repurposing a line from Hamlet, Jae and Gregg begin to examine elements of potential manager contracts. In addition to topics such as tenure and compensation, they discuss the relevance of charter and ordinance provisions and how those might affect the decision to accept an employment offer.

In the ordinary course of business, vendors sometimes offer municipal managers lunches and other gifts. Gregg and Jae discuss when accepting such offers is OK and when it's not. They also consider instances in which cultural differences complicate such decisions.

Gregg and Jae are joined for this episode by special guest James Gallagher. James reflects on his first municipal manager role and identifies challenges unique to that experience for which his graduate education and internships did not prepare him.

Manager Brothers Jae and Gregg have advocated municipal managers avoid personal agendas. On occasion, however, they may need to be "guerrillas for change;" that is, to advocate a solution to an issue that would be considered unconventional and, perhaps, unpopular, because it would be in the best interest of the municipality.

Complaints are a feature of local government administration, but not all complaints are created equal. Gregg and Jae discuss anonymous complaints of various types and the danger of letting the organization get dragged into neighbor disputes.

In this episode, Jae and Gregg provide lessons for both municipal managers and elected officials alike and illustrate the importance of establishing constructive dialogue between managers and their elected officials. Examples are offered of personal agendas and their impact, as well as comments on how managers can give guidance to elected officials to enhance their leadership roles in their communities. 

A vendor offers a money-saving product for dust control and de-icing on streets. What could possibly go wrong?

Who are Gregg and Jae and why are they doing this?