Diagnosis for Costa Mesa

We used a Medical Problem Solving model to examine behaviors as symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder (Differential). 

If we consider the implications of the disorder we can adjust how we deal with the person. For example,

“Personnel who come into contact with the individual . . . should (be) straightforward . . . Items in life which wouldn't give most people a second thought can easily become the focus of attention to this client, so care must be exercised in discussions . . .”

We can use the same model to analyze positive behaviors, too. The possible diagnosis we find can keep our expectations realistic.

Symptoms that support this diagnosis

From Strengths Based Leadership:

·         She  invests in strengths. (This is like the Good to Great concept of getting the right people on the bus before starting the trip.) (Good to Great)

In 7 Signs of a Great Leader we find “They say an army of lambs led by a lion will defeat an army of lions led by a lamb.” The book lists leadership behaviors:

• Takes the lead (walks the walk vs. talking the talk)
• Sets an example (“If you don’t understand that you work for your  . . . [constituents] then you know nothing of leadership . . . only tyranny.”)
• Shows compassion (supports charities and youth activities with time and effort as well as money)
• Knows where they're going and how they're getting there. Most of all,
• Accepts responsibility

Let’s see if we can find symptoms of “good leadership” in Costa Mesa’s leaders.

Executives are effective

Chief Tom Gazsi is running a department with fewer sworn officers while keeping the amount of patrol time constant – or increased. He’s effective and dynamic, managing resources and leading his department, and getting results in crime control and effective investigations.

Chief Tom Arnold is developing a Fire Department and its top command to meet today’s realities.

Ernesto Munoz runs the infrastructure building, repair, and maintenance for the City with noteworthy excellence. He knows where he is going, and how he’s going to get there.

We note excellence from Bill Lobdell, Dan Joyce . . . the list goes on and on. Excellence is expected from and exhibited by these leaders and managers.

They have effective bosses

Their boss, CEO Tom Hatch, then, is clearly surrounding himself with the right people; they’re on board and the bus in en route.

And his boss, the City Council, led by Mayor Jim Righeimer, is surrounding itself with strong executives. 

Supports a diagnosis of  

So, Costa Mesa earns a tentative diagnosis of “effective top leadership.” We can identify more behaviors that support that diagnosis, as well. That means that we can comfortably expect Costa Mesa to grow and thrive, knowing that the reins are in good hands whether or not we agree with any given policy or program.

Therefore 

This suggests that there will be no excuse for anything short of excellence from our City government.