The Latitude Newspaper has a nice profile of Lowell Mayor Patrick Murphy and his partnership with the Cambodian Community
The story is here but I’ll share what I found most interesting
Murphy’s ability to connect with politically disenfranchised immigrants has clearly helped the city. It also happens to be an instinctive application of ideas that have worked in economically challenged developing nations, says Robert Rotberg, president emeritus of the World Peace Foundation and founding director of the Harvard Kennedy School Program on Intrastate Conflict. He’s also the author of a recent book called Transformative Leadership: Making a Difference in the Developing World.
Good governance matters, Rotberg says. He notes that Murphy’s ability to make people like Nuon and Koch feel heard resembles a trait of Nelson Mandela, who could create “a sense of belonging to all.” Rotberg calls it transcendental leadership, as opposed to transactional politicians, who simply seek power and have little concept of public service.
Turning around a country requires leaders to “bring the aggrieved as well as the satisfied into a big tent,” Rotberg says. Such leaders spend “perhaps 70 to 80 percent [of their time] listening, taking in, appreciating and empathizing.”
Mayor Murphy is interested in Rotberg’s concepts of leadership, and he’d like to read the book, but for now he’s running late for a television interview.
Murphy, of course, does not live in the developing world, and it’s too early to predict the long-term impact of his efforts. But if the same governance tactics work in Lowell and the developing world, perhaps certain leadership traits are universal.
I like Jen Myers suggestion coming from this article:
“…the writer referring to Lowell as “Tomorrow’s America.” That’s way better than “Alive, Unique, Inspiring.”
Time to dump the City marketing contractor and use home-grown strategies.
Your comparing Murphy to Mandela, please…..
The Author of the newspaper story did.
Mayor Murphy’s approach to connecting with the various cultures of Lowell is commendable to the nth degree. However, he can accomplish more with more help. Other political and administrative personnel as well as neighborhood representatives of all cultures have to roll up their sleeves and participate in initiatives that address mutual interests.
The “tipping p0int” is in sight, but a strong effort and increased participation is needed to get there. It’s a multi-way street with success hinging on “give” as well as “take”. It’s best to focus on the “give” if possible.
Allegra Williams is another stalwart catalyst in this effort, via her work for the City. Kudos to Manager Lynch for his progressive vision and support of the neighborhoods.
And Chief Lavallee and his troups can’t be commended enough for their efforts in keeping the neighborhoods safe.
For those who are paying attention, the hand is reaching out to the community. Kudos to Mayor Murphy for his strong efforts to opening up the communications.
The article gives a deserved acknowledgment to Mayor Murphy for his efforts ,but leaves the impression of the Cambodian Community as “politically disenfranchised immigrants”waiting for someone to take them by the hand.
” Inspired, Noun ran for office two years ago and became the first Cambodian on the city council. ”
Councillor Nuon has a long history of civic engagement – School Committee races, Zoning Board of Appeals Rithy Uong preceded him on the Council. Sam Meas carried Lowell in the rEpublican Congressional Primary . ETC..