City Council Agenda and Packet 2024 01 22 - SP

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of the majority! And where does the Outlier fit in on a collaborative decision -making body? Why, nowhere! Perpetually being on the losing side of a vote means that the Outlier gets nowhere on his or her goals... unless, of course, he or she feels that being an Outlier is its own reward. Are You an Outlier? Perhaps you've met your share of Outliers, who tend to share one or more of these characteristics: • There is an element of the lone crusader in them. They feel they were elected to shake up the status quo in some way. Maybe they think their predecessors were too cozy with developers, not friendly enough with the business community, too close to the municipality's staff, not close enough to the municipality's staff, etc. • They view themselves as independent thinkers. They are often highly intelligent, but not "people persons.' In kindergarten, their report cards might have reflected a poor score on "plays well with others.' • They take a perverse glee in being the "outsider," relish arguments for argument's sake, and place little value on matters like courtesy and regard for the feelings of others. • They hate having to endure "soft" discussions such as a council or board retreat, the establishment of a mission or vision statement, the development of consensus around rules of procedure or rules of conduct, a session to discuss goals and priorities, or a CIRSA liability training session. • They feel they are always right, and everyone else is always wrong. They feel they are always ethical, and everyone else is not. They feel they are looking out for the citizens, and everyone else is not. • Initially, they may just have been unfamiliar with the ways of local government, and needed to build the skills to work effectively in a new environment. One or more gaffes may have caused them to be pegged as Outliers and treated accordingly, initiating an unhealthy Outlier dynamic. • There may have been some explosive moments in private or public with the Outlier's colleagues, or indeed, the colleagues may have made some attempt at an "intervention" These observations may or may not be totally on the mark. But one characteristic of the Outlier cannot be denied: he or she is seldom on the prevailing side of a vote, and is often at loggerheads with the rest of the body. Do you think you may be an Outlier? If so, you might examine what your goals as an elected official really are. Do you want to have a list of concrete accomplishments at the end of your term? Or will it be accomplishment enough to have been the "loyal opposition"? If the former, then your behavior may be working at cross-purposes with your goals. If the latter, really? Will the people who voted for you be satisfied with that accomplishment? Will you? 18 CHAPTER 3