New to the Chair Webinar

New to the Chair: LeadingThrough Uncharted Territory

Stepping in as a city manager oradministrator brings new responsibilities, heightened expectations, anddecisions that test even the most experienced leaders. But what happens whenyou're not only new to the chair, you're also navigating territory where thereis no established playbook? 

Join AFI Board Members RaymondLee, Portland, Oregon's first-ever City Administrator, and Tansy Hayward, CityManager of Thornton, Colorado, for a candid conversation about theopportunities, challenges, and unexpected realities of taking on a newexecutive leadership role. 

Drawing on their experiences,Raymond and Tansy will explore what it takes to prepare for the chair, buildtrust and credibility, navigate organizational change, and lead with confidenceamid uncertainty. The discussion will examine the judgment required to knowwhen to lead with compassion, when to take calculated risks, when to listen andlearn, and when it's time to act. 

Through personal experiences,lessons learned, and reflections on doing things that haven't been done before,this session will offer practical insights for leaders at every stage of theirprofessional journey. Whether your aspirations include joining the C-suite,leading your own department, managing a program, or simply becoming a moreeffective leader, the lessons shared in this conversation are relevant to yourleadership growth journey. Preparing for the next opportunity begins longbefore you take the chair.

Because being ready for the chairisn't about having all the answers. It's about knowing how to lead when theanswers aren't clear. 

Learning Objectives

1. Prepare for Leadership Opportunities:Identify skills, experiences, and mindset needed to transition into executive,departmental, or program leadership roles.

2. Navigate New Leadership Challenges:Explore strategies for establishing credibility, building relationships, andleading effectively in unfamiliar environments.

3. Balance Compassion and Decisiveness:Recognize when to listen, demonstrate empathy, take calculated risks, and makedifficult decisions.

4. Lead Through Uncertainty and Change:Understand how to approach situations without an established playbook whilebuilding trust and organizational confidence.

5. Advance Personal Leadership Growth: Applylessons learned from experienced leaders to develop a personal approach toleadership and prepare for future career opportunities.