the Challenge of Leadership on Council

The biggest handicap to establishing yourself as a community leader when elected to council is that you have limited visibility in to what's actually happening at cityhall. That is not an accident - it's by design. Only one member of Council has a presence at city hall - that is the mayor. Niether the Deputy Mayor, nor any other member of council have any presence at city hall - not even a shared desk in the hallway. A few years ago we did a multi-million dollar renovation to city hall. You would have thought that they would have, at the very least, created common workstation for the other eight (8) members of council.  The reality is that the City Manager does not want Councillors wandering the corridors of city hall.

The largest challenge you will face is dealing with subtle attempts by staff to indoctrinate and control. You will be presented with stacks of papers to review for each meeting along with a one-page staff summary and recommendations. More often that not, those staff recommendations win the day.  However, it doesn't have to be that way. Members of council can take charge and drive the solutions to the many problems facing Owen Sound. This will require you to work together as a cohesive group. Essentially, to be successful as a member of council, you must work with all members to gain support for your initiatives. In other words, each member of council needs to persuade the others that their initiative deserves collective support.

Common Misconceptions:

There is often a misunderstanding that the Mayor, as the head of council, is a hierarchical leader of council. This is not the case.

Owen Sound's city council has 9 members. When it comes to making decisions, all members are equal in that they each only have one vote including the mayor.

To pass most motions on a nine-member council, it takes 5 votes in favor. For certain matters, such as waiving notice to make a motion, it requires a two-thirds majority or 6 votes to pass.

The Bottom Line: To get anything done, members of council must work together collaboratively.

Colaborative Leadership

Collaborative leadership means working closely with all members of council, regardless of their title or role. Under this approach, members value everyone's contributions equally and make shared decisions.

Leaders who embrace collaborative leadership actively encourage others to share information openly, fostering a culture of transparency and knowledge exchange. They emphasize cooperation, open communication, and collective problem-solving.problem-solving.

Core Principles of Collaborative Leadership

The three main principles of collaborative leadership are:

• Shared decision-making: Collaborative leadership means getting input from all members of council to make informed decisions that positively impact everyone. It values diverse perspectives and insights, genuinely seeking input and feedback on municipal initiatives.

• Mutual respect and trust: Transparent and open communication is at the heart of collaborative leadership. The goal is to create an environment where council members are valued and respected, feeling welcome to share their thoughts without fear of judgment.

• Collective intelligence: Collaborative leaders recognize and appreciate the strengths of each council member  -  their unique knowledge, diverse experiences, skills, and background. They leverage each person's strengths to solve problems, innovate, and achieve common goals.
  

The Benefits of Collaborative Leadership

Improves team cohesion and morale: Team cohesion refers to the sense of unity and camaraderie within a group, and it's crucial for workplace success, including productivity and job satisfaction. It fosters a supportive environment where council members feel like an essential part of the team. Each member of council needs to recognize the significance of building relationships. To be successful, council needs to create a culture where everyone feels connected, valued, and aligned on common objectives. This sense of belonging boosts morale and encourages members to support one another, fostering a stronger and more cohesive team dynamic.

Enhances creativity and problem-solving: creativity and effective problem-solving are vital for innovation and overcoming challenges. Collaborative leadership helps with this by promoting an environment where different ideas converge. This approach encourages individuals to consider the big picture, emphasizing a shared vision and purpose. Members of council should embrace diverse perspectives and expertise. This inclusive approach sparks creativity, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and results in successful solutions to complex problems facing Owen Sound.