Are You Effective?

How can public sector leaders bridge the growing divide of trust and deliver real, lasting results for their communities?

According to recent Pew Research data, trust in government has fallen to historic lows. When public institutions fail to perform, it is rarely due to a lack of intent-it is the direct result of managers being promoted for technical expertise without receiving formal leadership training.

In Are You Effective?, 45-year local government veteran James Francis delivers a pragmatic, battle-tested blueprint designed to turn technical specialists into highly capable, results-driven managers. Drawing from decades of leadership as a City Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and Department Director, Francis bridges the gap between classic management theory and the unique, high-stakes realities of public administration.

This concise, actionable guide outlines the six core interdependent skill sets necessary to build credibility, restore public trust, and execute meaningful change:

• Result Identification & Focus: Align daily actions directly with true public value.

• Critical Thinking: Challenge underlying assumptions and evaluate long-term outcomes without bias.

• Effective Communication: Master active listening and convey complex policies with clarity.

• Trust-Based Relationships: Foster psychological safety and build high-performing teams.

• Action Orientation: Drive execution and overcome bureaucratic inertia.

• Continuous Learning: Adapt fluidly to the "permanent white-water" of modern public service.

Packed with self-assessment rubrics, weekly execution cadences, and practical frameworks, Are You Effective? equips new supervisors, seasoned executives, and knowledge workers alike to move past simple motion and deliver measurable achievements that matter.