The Art of War for Municipal Management

1. The Art of War for Municipal Management Sean P. Canning MPA The Canning Group LLC Scanning@TheCanningGroup.org 862-228-3563 www.TheCanningGroup.org

2. You!!!!!!! as a supervisor, head of finance department If you are sitting here - your organization obviously believes in YOU!! You have far more impact upon your organization than you may realize.

3. It is a matter of organization. Management of many is the same as management of few.

4. The Five Constant Factors They work!!On the battlefield and off! • Follow these five constant factors in all of your supervising, as well as life experiences. • They work!!! This is a must read and teaching at all the United States Military Academies, professional sports coaches and fortune 500 company CEO’s. • Soooo….., c'mon already! What are they?

5. Rule # 1 The Moral Law • “The Moral Law causes people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger”. • Translation: Control Yourself!! • Make decisions on facts and not emotion or to play favorites with another.

6. Rule # 1 The Moral Law • Show fairness in all dealings. • Show care and concern to those whom you lead or deal with in life. • Care, concern, fairness, love, beget care concern, fairness, love………some would call this ………. • GOOD KARMA

7. 35 Minutes Until GFOA Happy Hour – Just trying to see if I lost you

8. Rule # 2 Heaven • “Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons” • In ancient China, “Heaven” represents consistent and variable change. • In life and leadership, embrace unpredictability!! Embrace change, harness it, take advantage of it and • OWN IT!

9. Rule # 2 Heaven • Change, always brings opportunity! • Be nimble, agile, don’t sizzle, • Study the rules, understand the issues and foresee where things are heading. • I.e.- CFO demand in N.J. as a result of P.L. 2011 Ch 78.

10. Rule # 3 Earth • “Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death” • Choosing your battlefield! Appropriate time and places. • Not berating personnel in front of people.

11. Rule # 3 Earth • Not asking for a raise at your bosses mothers funeral. • Understanding when people and circumstances are appropriate for issues or direction to be undertaken. • WHEN ATTACKED AT COUNCIL SESSIONS, RESPOND PROFESSIONALLY!!! • Always look for Win-Wins.

12. Rule # 4 The Commander • “The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness” • Virtue has not changed in 2,500 years! • People like to be led by those whom they respect.

13. Rule # 4 The Commander • Scoundrels historically have not made memorable and lasting leaders. • A righteous and respected leader leaves an organization better than when they found it. • Wisdom in all decisions.

14. Rule # 5 Method and Discipline • “By method and discipline are to be understood the marshalling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure” • Not being reckless, careless or inattentive. The provision of policy, standards of conduct, and accountability.

15. Rule # 5 Method and Discipline • Overtime pay policies, monthly reconciliations, following up on deadlines. • Personal: self discipline and accountability to self and those who depend on you. • In short having your act together!!!

16. “These five principles should be familiar to every general: He who knows them will be victorious, he who knows them not will fail”

17. Translation: going through life and having these attributes or changing your life conduct to be in accord with these will provide you with successes. • Those who continue to fly by seat of pants will not find success and wonder why.

18. Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win………..Sun Tzu Translation: The 7 “P’s” of Success: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!!!!

19. 5 Factors in Action • This wildly successful American was told he lacked creativity. • One of the most creative geniuses of the 20th century was once fired from a newspaper because he was told he lacked creativity. • Trying to persevere, he formed his first animation company, which was called Laugh-O-Gram Films. • He raised $15,000 for the company but eventually was forced to close Laugh-O-Gram, following the close of an important distributor partner. • Desperate and out of money, he found his way to Hollywood and faced even more criticism and failure until finally, his first few classic films started to skyrocket in popularity.

20. The Moral Law • Harriet Burns stated,“XXXXXXX’s best sales technique was his absolute honesty.” • He personally took a co-worker's reluctant paraplegic friend to XXXXXX. He rolled out the red carpet and showed his guest all the attractions as well as front row seats to every show. All this just so a disabled friend could enjoy the park without feeling left out in his wheelchair. • He became a father figure to his secretary and gave her away at her wedding. Moreover, he paid for the entire reception.

21. Heaven • Next, he explained • “I dare to take risks.” • He would act boldly and bet on himself to win. • He saw where the technology and market were going. • There were a few times in his life where he would bet his entire studio on producing an animated film and, due to his vision, charisma, and leadership style, he repeatedly came out on top

22. Earth • Courage – He was completely focused on his product and his goals, not on himself. Understanding when to change his companies focus. • It takes courage to look outside of yourself. • One of the scariest things in life can be letting go of the image of yourself that is right in front of you and reaching for something further.

23. The Commander • “I test my dreams against my beliefs.” • In this case, he was making sure his dreams were consistent with everything he stood for: • His beliefs, core values, and integrity.  • Confidence – he had the ability to inspire us by selling us on ourselves, said Blaine Gibson. • Be the kind of leader that instills confidence in your employees. • His famous quote. “It takes people to make the dream a reality.”

24. Method and Discipline • Persistence • Nothing that is worthwhile is easy. • Bob Thomas has said, ”He succeeded because he was persistent and determined. He didn’t let rejection and criticism stop him. He was a finisher.”

25. The Failure Who Followed These Principles and Changed ALL of Our Lives? • Walt Disney