The Leadership Lens: May 2026
Inspired by the stories of viral commencement speeches, I offer a short commentary to those obtaining their bachelor’s or master’s degrees and contemplating life in county government. I remember how much I thought I understood and how much I still had to learn. What I could not see yet was how much the role would ask of me: patience, judgment, resilience, humility, and the ability to keep learning long after I crossed the stage with a diploma in my hands.
Having taught hundreds of MPA students and coached many individual public administration leaders, I offer this wisdom and advice to graduates as well as those already in the profession. For those that have been in county government, this is a reflection on what experience has taught us about leading county government well.
Here are a few reflections for current and future county administrators.
❍ We Did Not Know What We Did Not Know
Disregard the noise on social media and how bad the profession is these days. Local government life often sits in a complex and often conflicting environment, full of contradictions. In any given moment or week or set of circumstances, it is both challenging and rewarding; heartbreaking and excitingly heart pounding; defeating and uplifting; frustrating and amazing; political and apolitical; static and innovative.
What I would tell my younger self: It is an incredible profession where the product of your work can leave indelible impressions, make life better for your communities and neighbors, save and change lives. That’s weighty stuff. Weighty stuff is challenging. Know that going in and deal with it.
❍ Treat the Profession as a Craft
Like a carpenter, potter, or any other craft, your skills need to be honed. Excel and be the best you can be in the elements (budgeting, communications, personnel relations, project management, and so forth) of your daily job responsibilities.
What I would tell my younger self: Be proud of your work. Continue to develop yourself professionally and personally. Find and seek mentors.
❍ Stay Thirsty, My Friends
Go into the profession with your eyes wide open and a thirst for knowledge. Find and seek answers via objective research. Read “right” and “left” political opinions on civic and governmental matters as part of that research. Question “best” practices and see if you can make them better. Soak up information from professional associations (like NACA) and your contacts.
What I would tell my younger self: Be worldly. Think global and act local. Stay curious.
❍ Build Your “Phone a Friend” List
Find your brethren and your work-friend peers who you can call anytime, anywhere, and talk and walk through a difficult professional situation. Those contacts are worth their weight in gold. And reciprocate! Grow to be someone’s first call when they need advice.
What I would tell my younger self: Build your network early and protect it. The people who become your professional anchors are often the ones who help you stay steady when the job gets difficult.
❍ Lead with Humility
People can spot a humblebrag and attention-seeker from a mile away. Listening is a lost art, as I have written about previously. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Talk to your staff and co-workers. Ask for, meaning purposely solicit, feedback on your performance and expectation-meeting.
What I would tell my younger self: Listen with intent. Deflect praise and take the arrows.
❍ Learn to Walk the Tightrope
Many a county manager will perpetuate the stereotype of the woe-is-me CAO by and through their own actions, versus being more intentional and mindful of organizational, boundary, time, and calendar best practices. You have heard me ask this before: are you contributing to the very issues you’re complaining about? The best antidote I have found for this ailment is the development of hobbies, passions, interests and volunteer activities that are not affiliated with the profession of local government management.
What I would tell my younger self: Balance of your professional obligations and life outside of work.
❍ Build Your Resilience
Staying grounded and mindful in your efforts to combat stressful situations via what I refer to as distress tolerance. If you are not a resilient person, this may not be the profession for you. Learn how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations and embrace these circumstances as growth-developing, armor-building, strength-forming, and “powerbank”-charging experiences.
What I would tell my younger self: Staying grounded and mindful. Grow through being uncomfortable.
Dr. Ian Coyle, ICMA-CM is the President and CEO of Pracademic Partners. He is the former County Administrator for Livingston County, New York and has been a lecturer and instructor at the Northeastern University, North Carolina Central University, Northern Illinois University, California State University, the University of Virginia and several other universities throughout the U.S.
Thanks to Ian and Pracademic Partners for being a 2026 Friend of NACA!