The Personality of a City Manager

The City Manager should be trustworthy, respectful, ethical, and having good approachable character and integrity. He/she should possess strong listening skills and possess the ability to communicate with the Mayor, the City Council, community members, and staff at all levels. The ideal City Manager will be accountable not only to the City Council, but also to the public in general. The City Manager should possess excellent planning skills and thorough understanding of community development. Following are the necessary personality qualities that any individual should possess to become a City Manager:

• Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Management of Personnel Resources – Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Management of Financial Resources – Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

I’ve got the personality, how do I become a City Manager?

To get the complete rundown, read How to Become a City Manager, part of GovtJobs collection of local government job profiles.