WRITE OF CENTER
As we enter a new election cycle, where incumbents and challengers present themselves to the rest of us, the key for me is wondering what motivates them, and are they truly capable of serving the public they’re pursuing to represent and lead.
Then, there’s a baseline question: Do they have a clear, realistic vision and the past proven performance of generating a following, and creating and effectively leading a team to fulfill that vision.
This column is intended to explore some leadership principles in the context of county governance, not to promote or disparage any individual candidate.
I’m simply asking you to consider some ideas, values and outcomes that ought to matter to us as Kendall County residents in considering candidates for office; that is, regardless of whether they’re running for “dog catcher,” commissioner or Congress.
What would you like leadership in Kendall County to really look like? Kendall County’s challenges are not necessarily about ideology or party. That’s already decided. We are the most conservative county in Texas. No, our challenges are about demonstrated leadership capability, style, accountability and real service to the people.
Here’s the question: What enables one leader to inspire confidence, loyalty, hard work and effective outcomes?
Extraordinary leaders aren’t “NATO,” No Action Talk Only. They do real things for God and country, and state, city and neighborhood, too.
Real leaders find meaning in significant events to which they’ve responded, and practices and policies they’ve developed or modeled.
Transformative events can be telling. Do we need a reminder — the July Fourth flood, or decisions about land use that turn out to have unanticipated outcomes? About water rights? About ... you name it, anything that affects the population and the future of our county.
Let’s consider servant leadership as an effective approach in practical, local, government terms. It is leadership that listens first and acts second.
Servant leaders understand humility over ego, stewardship over power, remembering how they got to where they are and why, and who they serve.
Thankfully many of our elected, appointed and employed representatives have a faithful construct of quality and service. I’ve seen especially in the extraordinary culture here, a solid base of all that, apparently guided by great parenting and a solid foundation in our religious beliefs, our national and state constitutions, and the rule of law.
I look around every day and see we are truly blessed by God to see such core values in our very special culture in Hill Country.
Let’s continue to model clear, honest and forthright communication as a form of respect for each other. As I consider who I’m going to vote for, I’m looking for leadership values in candidates who view government as a service to the rest of us.
Strong leadership doesn’t mean more control. It means more responsibility to your team, your peers, your constituents. In government, it means creating policies and statutes that truly serve people.
Good government leadership is demonstrated in things as simple as citizens knowing who to call and receiving timely responses. It’s public input that is considered genuinely, that genuinely influences decisions.
It’s budgets that are explained clearly and transparently. It’s growth that is managed responsibly with respect for infrastructure, water and, yes, property rights. It is county, city, school and emergency services working collaboratively.
Good government leadership cherishes accountability and transparency; accountability that builds trust; and transparency that is routine. Real servant leadership welcomes questions and takes them to heart. It answers constituents’ question: what happened to my idea, my recommendation, my request.
Real servant leadership builds accountability into its culture. It’s a sign of respect.
Let’s enter this election cycle with a hopeful, values-based outlook in which Kendall County can grow while preserving its character — where elected, appointed and employed leaders are rooted in service to others, and strengthen community trust.
Our future depends on leaders who are willing to listen, collaborate and put people first; leaders who are reflective, steady, optimistic. Leaders who are forward looking, and visionary.
All of that is the cultural norm that drives the Republican Party of Kendall County. If you’d like to be a driving part of that or just want to know more, contact us at [email protected].
Art Humphries is a Kendall County Republican Precinct Chair.
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