Leadership & Ethical Decision-Making Flashcards

A council member asks a city manager to delay releasing a public records request until after an upcoming election. What is the most ethical response?

Answer: Consult with the city attorney and then release on the legal deadline

The manager should consult legal counsel to confirm obligations and then fulfill the records request on the statutory deadline, insulating the decision in law.

Which leadership style is generally most effective when a municipality faces a sudden crisis requiring immediate, coordinated action?

Answer: Directive (authoritative) leadership

Directive leadership provides clear commands and rapid decision-making needed to stabilize a crisis before shifting to collaborative approaches.

The ICMA Code of Ethics requires members to report to the organization's governing body any interference with professional duties by elected officials. This obligation best reflects which ethical principle?

Answer: Accountability to the governing body

Reporting interference upholds accountability to the governing body so elected officials can self-correct before professional integrity is compromised.

A department director consistently undermines decisions made by the city manager in public meetings. The best first step for the manager is to:

Answer: Speak privately with the director to address the behavior directly

A private, direct conversation allows the manager to address behavior without public embarrassment while giving the director a chance to correct course.

Which of the following best describes 'adaptive leadership' in a municipal context?

Answer: Encouraging staff to experiment, learn, and adjust as complex problems evolve

Adaptive leadership mobilizes people to tackle complex challenges that require new learning, experimentation, and systemic change rather than technical fixes.

A city manager discovers that a long-time vendor has been overbilling the city by a small amount over several years. The most appropriate course of action is to:

Answer: Report the finding to the governing body and initiate formal recovery procedures

Public funds require transparent handling; the governing body must be informed and formal recovery processes protect the city legally.

Which of the following is a core tenet of servant leadership as applied to municipal management?

Answer: The manager prioritizes the growth and well-being of staff so they better serve the community

Servant leadership holds that empowering and developing employees is the primary means by which the organization achieves its mission of community service.