Male Bosses Need to Speak Up for Gender Balance When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked why he intentionately appointed a cabinet made up of an equal number of male and female members, he stated, "Because it's 2015." By Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, HBR.org Does anyone else find it strange that the debate heating up in the US around [...]
How Libraries and Police Departments are "Similar?" By Amber Cameron, Strategic Operations Manager - City of Palo Alto, CA Both experience something called Occupational Segregation... “Tell your grandfather about all the women’s stuff you’ve been working on,” my mom says at a holiday family get together. After briefly talking about the ICMA conference this year, [...]
By League of Women in Government Editor Although women currently account for about 21 percent of all local government chief executives today, research shows that it continues to prove difficult for women to break into these top executive positions. Percentages are even less in traditionally male dominated fields such as public safety, engineering, and utilities. We're working [...]
ICMA Coaching Program: Thrive in Local Government The ICMA Coaching Program launches in January 2016 -- thanks to ICMA securing National Platinum Sponsor ICMA-RC. Expanding upon the success of the Cal-ICMA Coaching Program and 15 ICMA State Association Coaching Partners in 2015, we are bringing coaching programs and resources to all members and non-members of [...]
By Sue McLaughlin, County Administrator - County of Bureau, IL Ok. I admit it. Back in the 80's, I used to wear those suits with the scarf bowties so that I could look professional in the working world thinking that would cover up my lack of confidence. And then as I grew older and more [...]
By Mary Jacobs, Assistant City Manager - Sierra Vista, AZ Do you ever look back and remember someone who said something that really inspired you? I remember one of my early bosses out of graduate school. She was commenting on my work product one day, and told me I had the makings of a leader [...]
By Dr. Frank Benest Dr. Benest recommends that leaders make the transition from controlling to coaching: I'm a recently appointed division manager in a large city Human Resources Department. I was promoted because I'm results-oriented and have demonstrated my ability to accomplish whatever assignment is thrown my way. As division manager, I have a lot [...]
Photo Credit of Ms. Piana: JSingletonPhoto By Melanie Piana, Ferndale, MI City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem I’ve watched my friends, women and men, prepare for a new baby with joy and excitement, and also concerned about how much time they would have to bond and physically heal before heading back to work. Like many [...]
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt By Julie Underwood, Assistant City Manager - Daly City, CA By now, many of you know that there hasn’t been many of us in the #13percent club . And I’m making an educated guess that this number is even smaller for female [...]
By Megan Roach, Marketing & Sustainability Manager - Beverly Hills, CA While pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Chapman University, I applied for a graduate level internship with the City Manager’s Office for the City of Laguna Niguel. I drove to the interview thinking the internship would either define my career path [...]