03-1-02 thru 3-02 Executive Staff Retreat

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e " Stephen Ban4 Word describing Executive Staff - Responsive . Responsive is defined as : (being) able to receive and respond to external stimuli. . From a positive point of view we, as a group, are responsive. We can bring a lot of information, knowledge, influence and manpo\\Cer to bear on a problem or situation that needs attention. We have a huge collective knowledge base from which to draw, and expertise in many areas individually, from computers to engineering concepts; from fire suppression to water well regulations; from bond analysis to open records. . From a negative point of view, we oftentimes have difficulty recognizing or tend to ignore a potential problem or situation before it becomes a real one. We tend to be reactive rather than proactive; we generally wait for a problem to come to us before we begin to try solving or working to improve; we are generally responsive to situations rather than actively anticipating and preparing contingencies. One way to counter this image as a group would be to begin looking at areas that may need attention and try to come up with ways to do things better before some event happens that forces us to deal with making it better. . One of the precepts of our Mission Statement is to "deliver... programs... timely and effectively". The ideal interpretation of that portion is to be actively responsive to the needs of our stakeholders; to be responsive. I think we meet this area of our mission very well. . Another of the precepts of our Mission Statement; "to perform our duties with ... creativity and innovation" relates, I think, to being proactive in dealing with issues, problems, or just everyday operations; with a genuine respect for the impact our actions can have on reducing the impediments to citizens and business interests of our City. I think this is how we begin to build trust in government, and is an area of our mission that could be improved on by our staff . Executive Staff is improving more as a team. Staff seems to be melding as a group. We are more willing to consider the others viewpoint.