Resources
Council Onboarding Services
A change is coming...
Whether you anticipate your Mayor to change, your Council to be replaced, or some new faces to join your Electees, the upcoming election cycle will set new expectations and priorities for municipal staff.
Election cycles create an opportunity to reset expectations with the public, bring new energy to projects and initiatives, and build strong alignment and working relationships between City Council and municipal staff.
Common onboarding pitfalls, however, can result in operational uncertainty, disrupt project continuity, and make it hard for staff to deliver on new Council priorities.
PITFALL #1Information Overload
PITFALL #1Information Overload
In attempt to bring new leaders up to speed quickly, staff teams tend to provide too much information at once, making important messages difficult to absorb and remember.
PITFALL #2Not clarifying expectations.
PITFALL #2Not clarifying expectations.
Newly elected officials often lack a comprehensive understanding of the processes and policies that guide municipal government, resulting in staff frustration and inefficient decision-making.
PITFALL #3Setting an antagonistic tone.
PITFALL #3Setting an antagonistic tone.
In an attempt to articulate the limitations of the municipal government, staff leaders can inadvertently set a combative tone with elected officials.
PITFALL #4Failing to integrate new interests.
PITFALL #4Failing to integrate new interests.
Newly elected officials come with campaign promises, and diverse interests. Staff burnout can result if these new directions are not effectively prioritized and woven into existing work plans.
BENEFITS OF EXTERNAL SUPPORTStructure, Perspective, and Capacity.
BENEFITS OF EXTERNAL SUPPORTStructure, Perspective, and Capacity.
When a new City Council takes office, municipal staff leaders are expected to manage the transition while simultaneously keeping the organization moving forward. An experienced external partner can provide:
- A broad view of the municipal landscape. Consultants can help contextualize municipal issues for Councillors, including how other municipalities are tackling collective concerns.
- Set the tone for Staff-Council collaboration. An external party can help articulate limitations without risking early confrontation between staff and new Councillors.
- Build messaging alignment among staff. A neutral third party can help translate department concerns into clear, concise themes that are repeated and memorable for new Councillors.
- Provide bandwidth to the transition process. Consultants can help provide bandwidth to staff, ensuring continuity of service and major projects throughout a leadership transition without burning out staff.
To learn more about the role of external consultants in supporting the transition to new leadership, download our Council onboarding services guide.