It a huge mistake to put anyone in charge of anything because they are (or are claimed to be)a "change agent". This is a phrase that is vastly overworked and has all the substance of "world class" which is another piece of jargon that has been rendered virtually meaningless. Too often in both the private and public sector, "change agents" are brought in who make changes quickly - just to make changes(upholding their status as a "change agent") - and leave the institution much well less off.
I have suggested in the past that the Police Chief in Minneapolis should be a civilian, not a police officer. I am more convinced than ever that this is the right way to go, but I am tired of spitting into the wind. I know that cops hate that concept but I think it is best to have someone running the show who is a strong manager/leader and who is not wedded to a "cop culture". The Secretary of Defense is a civilian for the very same reason although they tend to get compromised by the military establishment but the concept remains a solid one. Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Becker Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 10:58 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Rybak's Choice for Police Chief I have a couple of points to make on Rybak's recommendation for police chief, Bill McManus. Minneapolis has a tendency to think the thing that they don't have is better than the thing that they have. Someone once did something that they didn't like so everything they do must be awful. Better to choose someone that has never done anything at all because they can't have done anything bad. But I have been around government for a long time. And I can say that when you bring someone in from outside the region, you have about a 50%/50% chance of getting someone good. (anyone remember Jim Wright? Tony Bouza? and yes this happens even after all the public input, media attention, evaluations, etc) The downside risk of getting someone not good is huge. Because of this, I think that usually it is better to bring in a good local candidate that you know than someone outside that you really don't know and only go national when there are no acceptable candidates locally. The downside risk is too great. Also the people that move around the country taking these jobs are a) ladder climbing b) running from messes that they made or c) are being pushed out. Very few of them are interested in doing the long term, hard work to change a culture. They mostly pad their resumes and move on. This is why I have a hard time buying it when Rybak argues that this guy is a change agent. A real change agent wouldn't leave a job after two years. And we should expect the same treatment as his previous employer. Also these carpetbaggers typically come in and make all sorts of changes very quickly. And typically alienate the people who have to carry out the changes because they haven't spent the time learning about the culture, the politics, the incentives in the system, etc. This effectively neuters any reform efforts. McManus's current job shows all the fingerprints of this. (the vote of no confidence after less than two years by the union is a hallmark) When you alienate your employees, the "change agents" never work. They do make good P.R. though. And for Rybak, Mr. "Think Outside the Box," this guy could be the poster child for "the box." He looks like a stereotypical chief, he sounds like a stereotypical chief, and the things he talks about are pretty stereotypical. It is good P.R. stuff but pretty light on the hard realities of making change. And as for the debate about identity politics, I will say that women think differently, manage differently, and relate differently. These are scientific facts. In the movie 28 Days, there is a quote, "The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over again expecting different results." As a woman, part of a group that is over half of the population, I would like the City to really think outside of the box and give a woman a spin, something that would really be different. Something that hasn't happened here before. Last I have to object to the "stunningly unified chorus of community support" that the Strib alleged in its reporting. I went to the "gay" meet and greet on Saturday (announced on Friday afternoon for folks who may have needed more than 24 hours notice a week before Christmas). McManus was apparently the liaison officer between the police department and the gay community in DC. But he didn't know who PFLAG was, a stunning omission for anyone claims any connection with or knowledge of the gay community. And in asking him what his duties were as liaison, he met four times a year with a group of gay business owners. Not exactly representative of the gay community. The Strib really dropped the ball on that one. Carol Becker Longfellow REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
