Tales From the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management [Hardcover]

Len Wood (Author), Joe Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2003

"Tales from the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management" grew from a desire to inform everyone about the wonderful world of local government management. Whether you are a public administration student, a newly appointed supervisor, a top executive, an elected official or an inquisitive citizen you’ll be captivated by the true stories that depict real life local government management challenges and dilemmas. Scattered throughout the stories are tips presented by a wise old owl who brags about his seventy years of local government experience. Whether you agree with the owl or not, you’ll be intrigued with the insights and challenges that local government managers face. You’ll also be fascinated by one of the world’s most fulfilling careers.

"Tales from the Trenches" consists of eleven chapters covering such topics as: Leadership and Management Style, Decision Making, Communications, Human Resources Management, Budgeting Skills, Citizen Advisory Boards, Community Relations, Relations with Elected Officials, Media Relations, Ethics, and Career Issues. All of the stories appearing in this book were contributed by sixty active and retired local government officials located in cities, counties, and special districts throughout the United States.

"Tales from the Trenches" contains a Glossary, Bibliography and Index. An Instructor’s Manual is also available from the Training Shoppe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you must choose one book to learn do’s and don’ts of local government management, let this be it. -- The Innovation Groups, June 24, 2003

The tips are to the point and result from decades of management experience. They represent "street smarts" at their best. -- Public Management, January/February 2004

While similar books tend to be dry, this one offers innovative and courageous problemsolving approaches in a refreshing narrative style. -- ForeWordreviews.com

About the Author

Len Wood is President of Len Wood & Associates, a leading training and consulting firm to local government specializing in public management, team building, budgeting, performance measurement and organizational development. Len Wood spent over twenty-three years in local government, fourteen of which were as City Manager in the Cities of Rancho Palos Verdes and Claremont, California. Len has also served as a professor at the Graduate Center of Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona. He has a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from California State University at Long Beach. Len is the author of four other local government books, the "Commissioner's Little Handbook", the "Little Budget Book", the "Elected Official's Little Handbook" and "Local Government Dollars & Sense: 195 Tips for Guarding the Public Checkbook".

Joe Baker is a retired City Manager who currently serves as a consultant to local government agencies. He specializes in management and organizational issues. His career in local government began as a police officer. He served in various capacities in law enforcement, and was subsequently appointed as a City Manager. Joe served as City Manager for the cities of Gladstone, Missouri; Burbank, California, and Orange, California. Joe has won several ICMA awards for his innovative approaches to local government. Since his retirement, he has devoted his time to volunteer work for the International City/County Management Association, and to various consulting assignments. Joe has a Chemistry Degree from Kansas City University and a Master of Public Administration from Kansas University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Training Shoppe (February 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963437496
• ISBN-13: 978-0963437495
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Event-Filled Life of Public Managers, November 3, 2003

By 

Greg Ramirez, Assistant City Manager, Agoura ... (Agoura Hills, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales From the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management (Hardcover)

After reading Len Wood's and Joe Baker's new book, I'm reminded why I entered this interesting profession. "Tales from the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management" provides an insightful glimpse into the event-filled life of public managers.

The eleven chapters reflect the key public manager responsibilities and challenges. Each chapter contains several stories that illustrate key management concepts. Included with these tales are tips containing advice and alternative approaches to addressing the situation. Stories are written in a straightforward manner, and best of all, are true to life because current and former local government managers contributed each tale.

What makes "Tales" especially valuable is the 180 page Instructor's Manual which complements the book, chapter for chapter. It contains discussion questions for each tale along with numerous case studies, management exercises and questionnaires.

Assuredly, "Tales from the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management" will inspire young professionals to take a close look at a local government career. This book is also a good mentoring guide.

This review was submitted to the California City Manager's Newsletter by Greg Ramirez, Assistant City Manager, Agoura Hills.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Management Experiences and Advice, April 19, 2003

By 

J. Flowers (GARDEN GROVE, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales From the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management (Hardcover)

This book dspelled many of my personal myths about public management. I purchased Tales from the Trenches as a reference for my Business Management class. I wanted to contrast private management with public management. I felt private management was more dynamaic and challenging. I now see that public managers, espcially at the local government level, are just as sophisticated and resourceful as their private counterparts. They also make the same type of blunders. The authors have done a great job in their selection of real life tales. I found
the manqagement advice they dispersed throughout the stories very useful. I also loved the cartoons which set the theme for each chapter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great achievements and ridiculous blunders, April 11, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales From the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management (Hardcover)

Collaboratively written by former city managers Len Wood and Joe Baker, Tales From The Trenches: Achievements, Blunders And Challenges In Local Government Management is a grand collection of great achievements and ridiculous blunders in local government. Innovations, challenges, and good intentions that went horribly wrong, pack the pages of this involving and highly readable guide which is especially recommended reading for all voters, and which will provide particularly meaningful to those with a personal and/or professional interest in local politics.