Defining Public Works Leadership Excellence By Larry Frevert, PE, PWLF

Leadership vs. Management How did you define a great public works director? Did you define a great leader or a great manager? Or both?

Leadership vs. Management Can great managers be great leaders? Can great leaders be great managers?

Leadership vs. Management “Management is a science, leadership is an art!” - Field Marshall William Slim, UK (1957)

Core Leadership Competencies Vision Accountable Delegates Empowers Others Communicator

“Real Life” Leadership Competencies Reputation Positive Attitude Values Ambitious Humble Being “in-tune” – “Industry Knowledge - Ron 2013 APWA Congress

Reputation Most Important Credibility, Reliability, Integrity Actions match words Trustworthiness Without it, you have nothing “You don’t need a title to be a leader.” –Multiple Attributions

Positive Attitude Positive vs. negative energy Positive attitude is contagious People want to be near leaders Words and actions are magnified Humor “A leader is a dealer in hope.” —Napoleon Bonaparte

Values Actions mirror your values Act in community’s best interest – Managers do things right – Leaders do the right thing “Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.” —Stephen Covey

Values – Ethical Decisions Legal vs. Illegal Right vs. Wrong Comply or violate rules and regulations Feel good or bad about end result Read about it in newspaper Still not sure What would your mom think? Ask? “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” —John Maxwell (Christian Author)

Ambitious High energy Ambitious for the team Fanatically driven (Passionate) Disciplined Take work seriously “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” —Vince Lombardi

Humble A work horse, not a show horse Credit others/blame yourself Treat people fairly Show congeniality and respect Prevents others from being abusive Believe in and builds up staff “Little Leaguers, if you are good, you don’t have to tell people; people will tell you!” -Larry Frevert

Keep Your Ego in Check!

Being “in tune” Face-time Listen Understand Empathy Feedback Loop

APWA’s “Great 8” – Traits of Highly Effective Leaders 1. Vision 2. Charisma 3. Symbolism 4. Empowerment 5. Intellectual Stimulation 6. Integrity 7. Knowledge Management 8. Power of Relationships

Vision

Charisma

Symbolism “My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back.”

Empowerment

Intellectual Stimulation

Integrity

Knowledge Management “Savvy leaders understand that controlling knowledge diminishes value, while releasing knowledge creates value.“ —Mike Myatt (Author and CEO Coach)

Power of Relationships

Leadership Build a Strong Team “First who, then what”

What to Look For in Team Members Intelligence and judgment Positive energy, high energy Collaborative attitude Loyalty, integrity Effective communicators Balanced ego Driven to get things done

Keep Life in Balance!

Work Hard!

Play Hard!

Find Time for the Family!

Signs of Failed Leadership Stop coming to you for guidance Not discussing their problems/issues No Loyalty

“If you are a good leader, your work done, your aim fulfilled, your people will say, we did this ourselves.” -”Lincoln on Leadership,” Donald T. Phillips

Thank You! Questions and Discussion