Over the course of the 18 years that Heidi Behrends Cerniwey has been in public service, she has been accumulating the kind of knowledge that only first-hand experience provides. She has assembled a dozen pieces of advice that apply not just to women (and men, for that matter) in small communities like hers, but also to those who are dedicated to public service in larger cities, counties and states. Here they are: 

1. Own your story and do your work. Public service is a noble profession. Leadership in this realm is not for the faint of heart. One needs to know themselves to face today’s challenges and remain resilient through controversy and conflict. Take necessary actions to know who you are and what you stand for so you can show up authentically in service. 

2. Say “yes” to opportunities to learn. Watch, listen, and be in the room. If one is curious, you can learn from every situation and interpersonal interaction. Continue to stretch your skillset and comfort by asking for and trying new roles. Understand the players and system interoperability. Take strategic risks and grow from every mistake and failure—yours and others. 

3. Lead from every seat. You don’t need a title to make a difference in a team, an organization, or a community. Don’t wait for others to give you permission; ask and share your ideas. My greatest professional opportunities grew from a moment where I had the courage to speak up, share ideas, and suggest solutions. 

4. Choose your boss (and network) wisely. Find people who are less interested in their own status and more interested in sharing their experience to help others. And if possible, find someone that recognizes your potential and will give you opportunities to thrive. 

5. Know your value—your assets and shortcomings. No one is perfect so you don’t need to pretend. Be authentically human. That means, own your competencies—know what you bring to an organization, a team, and a community. And know your shortcomings, bad habits, and functional gaps. Be open-minded and ask questions. 

6. Be realistic and right-sized. It’s good to have self-esteem and value your talents but understand that you may not be ready for the next step in your career yet. Sometimes you need to pay your dues to learn the real-life lessons so you can have a greater impact on policies and community-informed changes. Don’t take shortcuts through these learning opportunities.

7. There is a season. Communities need different leadership at different times in their evolution and history. Your style and talent may not be what every community needs. Don’t take it personally. It may not be your time or it may not be a good match for now.

8. Relationships are critical. A city manager’s job is to remain non-partisan to retain the ability to work with everyone, regardless of their leanings or positions on issues. That doesn’t mean one isn’t political. Rather, exercise your political savvy to influence good, data-informed public policy and bring people together for productive discourse. 

9. Take on tough conversations. Set firm boundaries and expectations, hold yourself and your team accountable, and communicate with respect and kindness. Your team will appreciate you for modeling and reinforcing behaviors that contribute to a functional workplace.

10. Take good care of yourself—mind, body, spirit. You only have one life and you cannot be an effective public servant if you don’t mind your own wellbeing.

11. Build diverse teams. Diversity pays dividends when people with different lived experiences and perspectives contribute to solving difficult community problems. 

12. Grow people. It is the responsibility of this generation to give back to people in our organizations and communities—to prepare them to be the next generation of public servants. Other people handed opportunities to you. Grow others.

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