Leadership And Managerial Skills Of County Commissioners As Perceived By County Commissioners, Ohio State University Extension Charis And Assessment Center Assessors

Abstract

The need for effective local governance systems has never been greater. Actions by federal and state governments have shifted responsibility for many programs and services to the local level and local officials are being required to make decisions having significant political, social and economic consequences. In Ohio 12,126 men and women held county, township, and municipal government positions in 1988 (Collamore, 1988). These positions include commissioners, mayors, trustees, auditors, treasurers and other elected and appointed department heads. Leadership and managerial skills are essential qualities for elected officials to possess. Several agencies provide general training after the leaders have been in office for a time. Little evidence is available regarding new and emerging elected leaders in small and midsize communities having access to personal assessment of their public administration and leadership skills (Boothe, 1990).