Core values stressed at City Hall

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- When Homer Bludau became city manager in May 1999, he

made a smart move for any newcomer to a job.

Bludau spent time with each of his seven bosses -- more commonly known

as the City Council -- and asked them to take him on trips through their

respective districts. He talked to his colleagues at City Hall and tried

to become familiar with the organization and its culture.

In attempting to uncover the city’s core values, Bludau quickly

realized that even longtime employees had problems coming up with a

comprehensive list, as he told council members during a study session on

organizational values last week.

One problem he found was that while separate departments within the

city ran smoothly on their own, little interaction between them took

place.

“Sometimes we say, ‘That isn’t my problem. You have to go see another

department,’ ” Bludau said. “I don’t think that we need to separate

people like that. ... not ship people around in order to get questions

answered.”

In January, the city’s management team -- which includes Bludau, his

deputies, department heads, as well as the city clerk and city attorney

-- took a few days at a retreat to brainstorm ideas for organizational

values and behaviors.

The values the group came up with include “integrity,” “empathy” and

“creating a positive work environment.” The behaviors are meant as

guidelines for employees.

For example, the paragraph on “integrity” reads: “no surprises, speak

up with concerns rather than internalize; say in the group what you say

in private; always be honest, frank; give credit where it’s due; be

factual in advising public on processes and regulations; consistency of

application of regulations; all customers deserve same treatment; tell

people the whole story.”

Since coming up with the list of values, Bludau has met with the

city’s 800-plus employees to hear their ideas.

The 25 meetings, which included between 20 to 50 people, took place as

early as 6 a.m. and as late as midnight for police officers on the late

shift.

“This organization isn’t used to coming together and there is a real

thirst for information,” Bludau said at the meeting, adding that coming

up with the list was not his doing alone.

“I think I did bring a fresh look as someone coming in from outside

the organization,” he said. “But I think there was a strong realization

by many people that internal communication was not all that good.”

A focus group with representatives of all of the city’s departments

has also been set up to review the list and add comments.

Bludau said about 350 responses have been received so far, and he

intends to pay attention to each one.

Bludau said he sensed a lot of enthusiasm, coupled with scepticism,

among city employees about the project.

“That’s why we’ll address each of the 350 concerns, even if it takes a

year,” he said.

Creating a set of guidelines should be an ongoing process, Bludau

added.

Since the city’s departments have become increasingly independent over

the years, Bludau said, the guidelines would provide a common basis for

employees.

“All employees have the same values,” he said. “They may exercise them

differently. But we need to make sure that we have that commonality

throughout the organization.”

City Council members have welcomed Bludau’s attempt to bring more

unity to the city.

“I’m glad we hired you,” Councilman Tod Ridgeway told Bludau. “All of

us are happy that we were part of that process.”

Bludau told the council that he had met with former City Manager Bob

Wynn to learn more about the history of the organization.

Councilwoman Jan Debay suggested he sit down with his immediate

predecessor as well.

“If you met with Bob Wynn, I think you should meet with Kevin Murphy,”

she said. “I think that you would be well-served to contact [Murphy.]

That would fill in the holes.”

CITY VALUES

o7 As employees of the city of Newport Beach, we choose to embrace

and practice the following values:

f7

In practicing integrity, we strive to be honest, reliable, respectful,

ethical, fair and authentic. We will serve in a manner consistent with

community values and follow through on our commitments.

In practicing empathy, we will be sensitive to the needs of others by

being compassionate, thoughtful, open-minded, willing to understand, and

by being good listeners.

In practicing service, we understand our roles as representatives of

the city. We will endeavor to practice humility, to make things better

for others, and to treat others as we want to be treated.

In practicing excellence, we will strive to do our best by

demonstrating competence and a commitment to quality. We will be

innovative, thorough, efficient and effective in our work.

In creating a positive work environment, we will express our

appreciation for, and recognize, others. We will follow a work ethic,

take pride of ownership in our work, be courteous, encourage creative

thinking, seek and be open to challenges, create esprit de corps,

maintain a safe work environment, and act with enthusiasm.

In creating unity of purpose, we will practice cooperation and

teamwork. We will practice open communication by keeping others informed,

considering the needs of others, and at times deferring to the needs of

others.

In practicing responsibility, we will be accountable in our work, take

initiative, make appropriate decisions, and act decisively. We will

acknowledge our errors and correct them.

In practicing loyalty, we will respect the individual and the

position. We will support each other, abide by decisions, and strive to

always present a positive image of the city.