Leaders and Managers in Public Works Focusing on a better future APWA_I_Buy_Dec.qxp 4/1/09 1:17 PM Page 1 I BUY WITH CONFIDENCE APWA Reporter December Insertion 1 page full bleed 4 color 8.125 process x 10.875 Trim 9 200 “We know we’re making the right call when we buy Cat® equipment.” When the Public Works Department in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, solicits bids for heavy equipment, purchase price is just one factor it considers, says Engineering Coordinator Michael Henderson. “If there’s a disaster in our area, we need to know our equipment, and our dealer will come through for us. We must know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the equipment is ready to work because response time is critical.” Factoring in Life Cycle Costs when purchasing equipment is equally important to Mike. “It’s in the county’s best long-term interests to consider total costs. When we choose Cat® equipment, we can be confident we’re getting a quality machine, backed by a strong company and dealer. We also know that when it’s time to cycle it out, there will be value left in that equipment.” www.cat.com www.govbidspec.com The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) endorse the use of Life Cycle Costing as a preferred procurement method. © 2008 Caterpillar CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as All Rights Reserved corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. December 2009 Vol. 76, No. 12 The APWA Reporter, the official magazine of the American Public Works Association, covers all facets of public works for APWA members including industry news, legislative actions, management issues and emerging technologies. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT INSIDE APWA 2 President’s Message 4 APWA office in Washington: A new home 6 Technical Committee News 8 APWA Body of Knowledge Task Force 8 12 Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading COLUMNS 5 Washington Insight 14 Back to the Basics 16 International Idea Exchange 34 Ask Ann FEATURES 16 20 Values-Based Leadership 22 Proper communication removes the silo mentality 24 When you need professional help 28 Emotional Intelligence: How it affects the workplace 29 Budgeting for results 32 Boosting morale during challenging times WORKZONE 17 41 WorkZone: Your Connection to Public Works Careers MARKETPLACE 41 Professional Directory CALENDAR 19 Education Calendar 44 World of Public Works Calendar 44 Index of Advertisers 32 December 2009 APWA Reporter 1 A better future for everyone Larry T. Koehle, P.Eng., MPA APWA President APWA has been blessed over the Second, much of what we do is years by a series of strong and cou- driven by the existing political rules rageous leaders. I mention courage and funding processes rather than a specifically because it takes courage true emphasis on sustainability in Official Magazine of the to question the very existence of an design, construction, maintenance American Public Works Association organization like APWA. Through and operations. The challenge is to PUBLISHER our Strategic Plan we have done just work within the existing political American Public Works Association 2345 Grand Blvd., Suite #700 that: system that rewards “bringing home Kansas City, MO 64108-2625 the bacon” and find a way to morph (800) 848-APWA (Member Services Hotline) The American Public Works Associ- (816) 472-6100 (Kansas City metro area) it into a system that rewards sustain- FAX (816) 472-1610 ation exists to develop and support able projects. e-mail: [email protected] the people, agencies and organiza- Website: www.apwa.net tions that plan, build, maintain Lastly, eroded public trust deprives EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and improve our communities. us of the real efficiency gains that Peter B. King Working together, APWA and its could be made if second-guessing EDITOR R. Kevin Clark membership contribute to a higher was the exception rather than the GRAPHIC DESIGNER and sustainable quality of life. rule for public bodies. The chal- Julie Smith lenge is to renew the faith that citi- That relatively simple statement ADVERTISING SALES zens once had in professional public Amanda Daniel R. Kevin Clark is the result of asking the difficult Erin Ladd Kansas City Liaison managers so that we can be allowed question, “Why do we exist?” Cou- Jennifer Wirz (800) 848-APWA to use our knowledge and skills to (800) 800-0341 rageous leadership requires that we solve problems rather than to study, APWA WASHINGTON OFFICE ask that question periodically in discuss and study again. 1275 K Street NW, Suite 750 an ever-changing world. Old, mori- Washington, D.C. 20005-4083 (202) 408-9541 FAX (202) 408-9542 bund ideas make interesting muse- All of these challenges provide Disclaimer: The American Public Works Association um pieces, but don’t provide much APWA with opportunities to take assumes no responsibility for statements and/or direction if the world provides new the unique value we offer and use opinions advanced by either editorial or advertising contributors to this issue. APWA reserves the right challenges. our existing and emerging programs to refuse to publish and to edit manuscripts to create a better, more sustainable to conform to the APWA Reporter standards. The public works industry faces future for our communities. Publisher’s Notice: The APWA Reporter, December numerous challenges, but here are 2009, Vol. 76, No. 12 (ISSN 0092-4873; Publications three that face us all: The Center for Sustainability was Agreement No. 40040340). The APWA Reporter is published monthly by the American Public established specifically to meet the Works Association, 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite First, North America’s infrastructure challenges of unsustainable past 700, Kansas City, MO 64108-2625. Subscription is not sustainable and continues to rate is $159 for nonmembers and $25 for chapter- practices and policies. sponsored students. Periodicals postage paid at deteriorate. While a sensible, pro- Kansas City, MO and additional mailing offices. gressive approach to solve this prob- APWA education programs not only POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the APWA Reporter, 2345 Grand Boulevard, #700, Kansas City, lem has not been found, the Cana- help develop the skills and knowl- MO 64108-2625. Canada returns to: Station A, P.O. dian emphasis on asset management edge of our members, they also can Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. is a great start. Complaining about increase the respect and therefore Reprints and Permissions: Information is available at crumbling infrastructure doesn’t trust that public officials need to www.apwa.net/Publications/Reporter/guidelines.asp. do much good. Citizens are tired of continuously improve public ser- © 2009 by American Public Works Association hearing that we need to spend more vice. APWA has and will continue to Address Change? To alert us of a change to your membership record, money. The challenge is to come up strengthen accreditation, certificate contact an APWA Membership Specialist at (800) with an approach that the public and certification programs. Public 848-APWA or [email protected]. will believe in and rally behind. trust can only be enhanced by a cad- The APWA Reporter is printed by Harmony Printing & Development Co., Liberty, MO. re of public officials who have taken 2 APWA Reporter December 2009 the trouble to measure themselves and ing those situations and differentiating I’m fortunate to work with a talented their agencies against tough standards between leadership and normal crazy Board of Directors and staff at APWA. of public service as they do in these (as Dilbert might say) is the subject of We also have many volunteer com- programs. one of the articles. mittee members, the breadth of whose knowledge and experience continues The Leadership and Management In a more “normal” vein, the impor- to impress me. All of these people are Committee has been a vital player and tance and key characteristics of emo- focused on the day-to-day tasks that sometimes an instigator in these pro- tional intelligence are also explored. are needed to meet the goals and ob- grams. Meanwhile, at the core of how we do jectives of this organization. I continue the mission we’ve been selected to This year’s Leadership and Manage- to be grateful for their dedication and implement is values-based leadership. ment issue contains articles designed to countless hours of service. These mem- In this article the role of values-based help you deal with some of the key is- bers who serve on boards and commit- leadership and approaches on how to sues we all face in these difficult times. tees at both the national and chapter implement it in your organization are Managing stress is always a challenge, levels provide the hard work and lead- discussed. but when citizens, elected officials and ership that is necessary if we are to con- employees are all stressed at the same Finally, the importance of measuring tinue to provide meaningful programs time, public works managers need all performance and how to do it effec- and relevant services to the public and the help they can get. Sometimes that tively is covered in an article that fo- members we serve. help can only be provided by a trained cuses on the real results we’re all ex- (Continued on page 4) mental health professional. Recogniz- pected to produce. “We should not and cannot change all our differences. Diversity Each of us brings from our own background things which we should share. There is good in diversity.” Awareness – Georgie Anne Geyer, American journalist Corner and columnist AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION Mission Statement: The American Public Works Association serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.