It's
not about power;
it's about paperwork
and listening to
complaints about
potholes (in a small
town without a manager).
It's
about work and long hours
and putting out brush fires.
Opinion
matters much less in this job
than you think it does.
It's
more like being an indoor dog
catcher in that you may have a
prescribed job, but you have no
regular hours and you never know
where your work is.
It's
not about money or glory or your
future, it's about serving the
greater good of the community.
Have
courage. If you
have a conviction
about something,
speak it and stick
by it. Don't weasel
and waffle. Don't
be a fence sitte
You
want to be viewed as a statesman,
not a politician.
Be
open and willing to learn. Check
your preconceived notions at the
door. Seek to understand why things
are done the way they are done
before jumping in to change them.
Let
tradition fly in the face of the
wind if tradition is wrong and
you are right. If it is an uphill
battle to get it done right, be
prepared for the climb.
Do
not be afraid to ask questions.
You are not expected to know all
of the answers your first year.
So enjoy the learning experience
but do not use your newness as
a dodge.
Keep
your sense of humor; if you don't,
you are dead in the water.
