I never turn down a chance to learn, especially when the subject helps improve my work as your County Executive.
An opportunity arrived earlier this month with an invitation to attend the all-expense-paid Local Government Leadership Program (LGLP) hosted by the UT Institute for Public Service and the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership in Knoxville.
It was an honor to be invited, and an honor to attend alongside our Register of Deeds Terra Dickey, who currently serves as President of the Tennessee Registers of Deeds Association. There were 29 of us representing cities, counties, and organizations across the state.
Spending three days in the company of these officials was an education in itself. We’re all dealing with the same concerns, so it was nice to learn how others are handling issues like solid waste, animal control, and growth. I was making notes through every conversation.
Cleveland, Tennessee Mayor Kevin Brooks shared tips for developing an effective team, drawing from his work in government and as a full-time Church of God pastor. It’s encouraging to see other ministers in elected positions, just like the man who inspired me to run for office, former County Executive T.R. Williams. I think it vital that people of faith become involved in government at every level, so I encourage leaders in our churches to become more involved and consider running for office. Their faith and skills are needed.
Dr. Lawrence Kessler, an associate professor with the UT Boyd Center, reminded us that Tennessee’s economy is very strong, thanks to our state’s low taxation and other business-friendly policies. Tennessee is the safest place in the nation for business investments, and it’s obvious a host of auto manufacturers and Tier 1 auto suppliers realize that. We are fortunate that Magna, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, chose to build one of its newest facilities here.
Abb Oglesby with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service covered the topic of ethics in government, which is the foundation upon which everything else is built. I appreciate the intelligent system of checks and balances in Tennessee law that ensures work in every office, at every level, is legal and proper.
We also completed assessments to determine our individual leadership styles and ways we can work with others who may be very different from us. Many of you have probably done this kind of personality test. I know they have great value when they’re completed by a group that works together, like myself and County Commissioners. I hope to lead a retreat sometime soon where Commissioners and I can go through a similar assessment and work together even better based on the results.
Dr. Herb Byrd, Vice-President of the UT Institute for Public Service, concluded the event with encouragement and a challenge. “You don’t have to be sick to be better,” he said. Lawrence County is definitely not sick, but hopefully I and other local leaders can work to make it better
