Ethics and integrity aren’t just buzzwords in local government—they’re the foundation of public trust, team cohesion, and long-term success. When leaders prioritize ethical behavior, they create a culture where employees feel accountable, engaged, and proud of their work. But fostering this kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional effort and strong leadership.

In a recent LeaderGov workshop, government leaders from across the country came together to explore practical strategies for promoting ethics and integrity in their organizations. Through insightful discussions and real-world examples, they uncovered key approaches to strengthening ethical standards within their teams.

Why Ethics Matter in Local Government

As William Whitson, a seasoned local government professional, put it, “working in local government is like "living in a fishbowl." Every decision, policy, and action is under public scrutiny. When integrity is compromised, the consequences ripple...

LeaderGov conducted an informal poll of local government leaders on LinkedIN and asked them which of these four areas created the most pain for them: 

1. People issues slowing progress
2. People issues clogging HR
3. Unresolved people issues
4. People not succession-ready

By far, the two biggest pain topics were: 

• People issues slowing progress (38% )  and 
• Lack of succession ready people (38%)

The Pain Associated with People Slowing Progress

We all know that tension on teams, past challenges and poor attitudes or past lack of follow-through can damage progress as teams work together.   As a leader however, it’s your job to address people and process issues that get in the way of results.  Failure to do so, typically makes matters worse, not better.   In fact, not addressing people issues erodes your respect and often emboldens others to become less responsible in their work, since they know you are not likely to address substandard work. 

When you do address people issues on you...