Identity and Excellence

Abstract

Citizens, practitioners, scholars, and elected officials continue to debate the range of skills, policy areas, responsibilities, roles, values, and work habits forming the city manager's identity. This study develops detailed profiles of three city managers identified by their peers as the best in their respective states. Seven specific recommendations are offered providing a "more coherent image " of the city manager. These profiles serve as role models (a) guiding the education of city managers, (b) orienting elected officials to the city manager' job, (c) enhancing the public's understanding and acceptance of this leadership position, and (d) testing theories of council-manager government.