Government structures and cultural competency can have a big influence on a municipality’s desirability. This becomes more important as the millennial age-group makes up ever increasing proportions of the workforce and city economies could depend on where they choose to locate. With nearly two-thirds of this age-group being minority or multi-racial, a city's ability to welcome and serve a myriad of cultures could easily be the determining factor.
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“Speaking Their Language” examines how the City of Huntsville could be preparing itself for a changing workforce and citizenry. Public servants’ ability to interact with and meet the diverse needs of communities depends on how well they can tailor services to those who need them. This requires holistic approaches to public access and consideration for the ever-growing cultures in American cities.
Contemporary workplaces are filled with a diverse mix of people and backgrounds. Retaining them and their experience benefits organizations through their practiced efficiencies and institutional knowledge. In “What Makes Them Leave?” I reviewed Moynihan and Landuyt’s examination of state government turn-over. They found that organizational management styles and policies, employee gender, and external life circumstances were the biggest drivers of personnel loss. Sure, public leaders cannot control every factor of their employees’ lives, but they can endeavor to make the workplace a positive and productive one.
Administrators should recognize how leadership styles and office procedures can either be beneficial or detrimental. They should also understand how the pressure to stay in jobs, even in toxic environments, could expose some people to abuse.
Administrators should recognize how leadership styles and office procedures can either be beneficial or detrimental. They should also understand how the pressure to stay in jobs, even in toxic environments, could expose some people to abuse.
JAY HOWELL MPA & MCP GRADUATE
Created 2018