Values Based Leadership: How ELP Fellows Balance Competing Principles in Public Life

1. Values Based Leadership:  How ELP Fellows Balance Competing Principles in Public Life January 13, 2010 7 am PST/9 am CST/ 10 Am EST/ 5 pm SAST

2. Welcome & Introduction Fazela Mohamed ELP6 Class 2007-08 Registrar of Members’ Interests Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Public servants face daily challenges bringing core values, such as transparency, equity, integrity and accountability, to bear on their decision- making and public discourse.  Four ELP Alumni will discuss a core value that came into play and how they chose to underscore the value’s importance. Webinar attendees may submit questions during the Fellows’ discussion. Ambassador Joseph will offer concluding thoughts on the four Fellows’ observations and experiences.

3. What was the situation? Lance Greyling, MP ELP5 Class 2006-07 Member of Parliament South Africa My Political Party took a decision which I felt ran contrary to what we had promised the voters before the election.

4. What led up to it? Lance Greyling MP A series of experiences: A caucus meeting took place where we had to make a decision on the issue at hand. I voiced my strong objections to what was emerging as an otherwise consensus decision. The decision was taken and I was forced to abide by it.

5. What was controversial? Lance Greyling MP I believed that the decision that was taken was against what we had promised the voters before the election. I then had to make a decision as to whether I should resign or stay on and continue to fight for what I believe in.

6. How has your leadership been tested? I was in an ethical dilemma as I felt that I was being forced to go along with something that I did not believe was ethical. I had to balance this with the democratic process and accepting the consensus decision. Lance Greyling, MP

7. Insights gained into leadership? Lance Greyling MP The importance of standing up for what you believe in even in the face of other people not supporting it. Leadership sometimes requires accepting majority decisions that run contrary to your own beliefs.

8. Q & A with Lance Greyling MP

9. What was the situation? Hon. Michael Nutter ELP3 Class 2004-05 Mayor City of Philadelphia Popular new mayor of US’s 5th largest city faces massive $108 million budget deficit Proposed library closures creates unanticipated citizen backlash, misperceptions

10. What led up to it? Hon. Michael Nutter Financial Crisis Need for urgent response (27% shortfall) Rapid prioritization of needs (“time was not our friend”) Passionate commitment to libraries Safe haven, free computer access, community space New Administration Ten months after taking office

11. What was controversial? Hon. Michael Nutter What was proposed: closing community assets (highest per-capita libraries in US) How it was proposed: hastily, isolated from constituents, reminiscent of prior administration Who proposed it: popular change agent, campaign promoted values of openness and transparency

12. How has your leadership been tested? Hon. Michael Nutter “Tried to do it with data and analysis, stoked emotion and tension instead” “Time was not our friend” Assumed constituents would remember commitment to library system (ALA Politician of the Year, 2005) Ultimately solved problem without closures

13. Insights gained into leadership? Hon. Michael Nutter “Its not what you do, its how you do it” Question “Try to do the right thing” Once you make the decision, own it Public will support you (admitting helps)

14. Q & A with Mayor Nutter

15. What was the situation? Yolie Flores ELP4 Class 2005-06 Vice President, Los Angeles Unified School Board Sponsored public school choice resolution that opens up the process for new and failing schools to be up for bid from internal or external stakeholders.

16. What led up to it? Yolie Flores A series of experiences: Frustration at status quo (only 30% read at grade level in 3rd grade; 50% drop out). Providence Effect Film: Real example that schools can send poor children of color to college. UCLA report on school failure.

17. What was controversial? Yolie Flores Potential loss of union jobs. Perceived beginning of privatizing education.

18. How has your leadership been tested? Being opposed, at times, by the very people who I think should be my allies, such as parents of students of color in a failing school. Yolie Flores

19. Insights gained into leadership? Yolie Flores Importance of developing stronger relationships so that there could be greater trust. Believing in my own true intention.

20. Q & A with Yolie Flores

21. Leadership Challenges to Core Values James Perry LaELP1 Class 2008-09 Candidate Mayor of New Orleans James will share a leadership challenge he has faced – one that tested his core values – and how he reacted to that challenge. 

22. Commentary Ambassador James Joseph

23. Follow up and next steps • Today’s webinar survey • Distribution of materials to ELP Alumni • Please consider participating in a future event