April 17, 2019
Benjamin, Traverse City’s City Clerk had the opportunity participate in Harvard’s Senior Managers in Government three-week program this past summer. Attendees for this program are selected by what they can bring to the conversations that surround policy development, political strategy, performance management, negotiation and leadership. Out of 1,000 they select 70 applicants who had submitted about 40-50 pages in response to essay questions. Benjamin began his presentation by connecting Harvard’s motto (Veritas) to a value all Rotarians share in our Four-Way Test, “Is it True?”
Benjamin spoke most about the incredible network he gained by this experience – 70 people from around the world – including country leaders. “You’re in a room with people who want to stretch.” Each participate was concerned with how to grow in their own ways – cities, countries, etc. How can we talk about the issues in a way that we can come to the table and discuss? Additionally, he highlighted five of the amazing instructors for his program.
The topic that seemed to have the most impact to the work we all do in our community was the subject of “Decision Architecture” with faculty member, Todd Rogers. Leveraging the power of how you present concepts and decisions. How can that concept be used to drive social accountability? Research demonstrates that people tend to do meaningful things if they believe it is achievable. Additionally, if we know others will know what we did, we tend to “fall in line.” Benjamin shared a bit about the format of the course, for example the use of “Question bursts” and the tent pole exercise – and reminded us to think of how we tee-up conversations and decisions.
What did this mean for Traverse City? Benjamin started by preparing a personal plan and then began working with regional non-profits. He has utilized the learnings from his program most in negotiation strategies in local government work. And, he’s had the opportunity to tap into his program network for the good of our state as he sits on the State Election Modernization Team.