Behaviors You Can Expect

1.     Active listening:  to be open to the thoughts, information, aspirations, and needs of constituents, of the public-at-large, of employees, of opposing parties and “camps,” of common sense, of my conscience; to acknowledge that I do not have a lock on the truth or always the best answer.

2.     Balance:  to attempt to weigh conflicting evidence, opinions, and even special interests to arrive at a fair and balanced position.

3.     Listening to my heart:  to recognize that in my zeal for evidence and logic that sometimes I do not balance facts with heart; to always take into account the human side of issues, be they families, neighborhoods, peoples’ dreams, values, and needs... even as I use facts to make decisions.  There are human consequences to every decision.

4.     Continuous learning:  to continually seek improvement, new ways to do things; be open to guidance, feedback, advice, models from a wide range of sources.

5.     Can-do: to “dwell in possibility” rather than to wallow in “ain’t it terrible?” To refuse to buy into obstructionism, cynicism, and anger.  To facilitate problem solving and forward motion in getting things done.

6.     Authenticity:  to be sincere, real, engaged; serve a greater good.

7.     Passion:  to believe in this job; to inject energy and belief into the deliberations of public life.

8.     Facing up:  to not shy away from difficult or awkward situations or decisions; to acknowledge mistakes and learn from them.  To forgive myself and others when mistakes are made.