How would you define being proactive versus reactive as a government leader?

I have always been a proactive person. My championship wrestling career in high school and college lead to being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. My leadership and community service resulted in being recognized by the US Jaycees with the prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Americans award (among former honorees like Bart Starr, and John F. Kennedy). I have also served as multiple-term president of virtually every organization to which I’ve belonged.

My blindness from a young age taught me to come up with unique solutions to unique challenges. I chose to be proactive, and exceed the expectations of others.

Being proactive means consistently seeking out new ideas and constantly thinking, "How can we improve?" You must be a good listener. From the kids I talk to each year, constituents, City Council, City employees, other Mayors, county and state officials; you never know who is going to give you the start of the next good idea. However, just mentioning the word proactive and talking about being proactive is meaningless if you do not take action and have the leadership skills that make others want to join you on your path of action.

You must be able to maintain your focus on goals and solutions even when the unexpected happens. When responding to the unexpected immediate problem, you must keep your focus and that of your team on the big picture. Worthwhile accomplishments do not happen overnight, nor are they achieved by luck. They happen with committed, sustained, long-term effort.