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Editor’s Note: This column, “LBWA” (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out what’s going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her desk and “wander around” the area of operations, talk to people, ask questions, and kick around ideas with the individuals in the thick of delivering services to the public. So the author will bring up issues and ask the leaders among the readership to share their knowledge and experiences.
I am a bit behind on my reading, so forgive me for just now responding to an article in the PRB September 2008 issue … but then it proves the timeless benefit of articles (and advertising) in this magazine.
I read Donald Bessler’s article, “Good Enough For Government Work,” and I completely agree with his premise. It really parallels my article in the February 2009 edition, “Does Anybody Like Being a Bureaucrat?” I hadn’t read his article until after I’d written and sent mine off, so it was refreshing to see that we hold such supporting views.
Essentially, Bessler says that in local government, we live in a fish bowl: “Everything we as staff or our advisory boards and city councils do is upfront and center stage. Involved citizens, special interests and the local media closely monitor and report on our activities.”