Qualities of a Good Mayor
Being a mayor is a difficult job. A mayor does not have the same influence and authority as a private industry CEO. Often, mayors require more persuasion skills than decision skills to run a city. Therefore, a mayor must have certain intrinsic abilities that will allow him to help the community he leads.
1 Honesty
A good mayor should only promise what he can control. Although good intentions are laudable, a good, honest mayor knows that there are more people involved in the decision-making process. Thus, making promises on issues over which he has no control will only disillusion the people he leads.
2 Management and Leadership Skills
Management is the ability to move others from Point A to Point B. Leadership is knowing where Point B is located. The mayor is the one who provides direction to the community. The best mayors should exhibit a vision for the future and should be able to sell that vision to the public.
3 Good Communication Skills
A mayor should have good communication skills, especially the ability to listen. Because a characteristic of a good mayor is selling the vision of the future to others, he must have excellent communications skills to persuade others above him to move in the direction he desires; he must convince others to join him in his vision.
4 Will to Make Tough Decisions
Some politicians will not address issues that they know will make them unpopular. This should not be the case with a good mayor. He should not be scared to tackle issues affecting the community, regardless of how difficult or unpopular these issues may be.
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