Some city council members have cried foul over Mayor Bell’s hiring of Steve Cady — the Ph.D.-ed organizational behavior wiz brought in to help the City’s revitalization efforts. The southern-rooted BGSU professor describes his new “extreme asset” status and admits his love for low-carb drinks.
Explain your passion and approach to problem solving.
In terms of my background, BGSU’s Master of Organization Development program was the first of its kind in the world when it started in 1975 and it is one of the best in the country today. We specialize in evidence-based approaches to organizational transformation. My passion is in the area of collaboration on a large-scale. This is what I think about 24/7. I have spent the last fifteen years researching best practices, teaching and learning with executive students, and putting it to practice in places like ConAgra, Medical City in Lake Nona – Florida, Chrysler, Mercy College, Dana University, The Area Office on Aging, and The Toledo Diocese Schools.
How long have you lived in the Toledo area?
Since 1996. I lived in the Old West End for eight years and just moved to
Perrysburg.
Which place or event in Toledo do you think needs more love?
This is a tough one. There are so many, but if I had to pick it would probably be our neighborhood parks and recreation. Here is what I have learned over the past year. Our neighborhoods taking initiative in providing activities that connect families, kids, and friends … they are the glue for our city.
What’s your favorite summertime outdoor activity in NW Ohio?
A good cookout with friends and family, a run in Wildwood, or to go cycling out on the country roads.
Where does Mr. Cady unwind during happy hour?
I’ve enjoyed The Blarney, Rocky’s, and El Camino. And, I just visited Arnie’s at Levis. They are keeping the tradition going.
What’s your poison?
In the morning, it a sugar-free mocha red eye; on the weekend, I have a new favorite … a Skinnygirl margarita. I can already hear it now … but hey, that margarita is low in carbs and a really good summer drink.
Mayor Mike Bell has called you “an extreme asset,” regarding services you have provided for the city. What do you bring to the table?
First off, I’d like to thank Mayor Bell for his confidence in me.
The mayor has chosen to collaboratively lead the transformation and build our region’s capabilities for the future. These processes are an extension of his leadership style and he is utilizing regional expertise to get it done. My aim is to utilize my skills to facilitate a disciplined process that connects the head and heart of every person who cares about the future of Toledo. The result is a smarter and more innovative city and region. And, what is most important, each person then takes responsibility to see it through… to get it done.
With such a polarized political climate here in the city — between parties and involving City Council and the Mayor’s Administration — are our elected leaders failing to collaborate effectively?
No. I would say that our elected leaders in the city and region are having more and more dialogue. While there are some that see collaboration as too time consuming, and others think a leader’s job is to have the “right answer,” there are many of our elected officials embracing a culture of collaboration. They recognize something that is captured in one of my favorite quotes — “People support and defend that which they help to create.”
If I may add, I wish more citizens could see how dedicated these public servants are to the city.
What’s one major problem that keeps the City of Toledo from economic prosperity?
In recent large-group meetings, leaders and citizens identified four main challenges: economic development & jobs, regional cooperation, government collaboration, and Toledo Public Schools. If you take a closer look at these four challenges, you will see that building strong relationships is a theme. In my mind, it is more of an opportunity than a problem. We are already beginning to see the benefits of the city reaching out to citizens, leaders, regional partners, and more. No longer are we waiting for someone else to take action. We are working together to create smarter solutions that make a lasting difference.
Here is an interesting twist. While we have challenges, these same leaders and citizens identified more possibilities than problems for our city. They mentioned a lot of untapped potential such as: city assets and attractions, diverse culture, higher education, downtown development, cost of living, attracting new technologies and industries, location, natural resources, community service, workforce, and the intermodal.
What steps need to be done to create more positive behavior?
In a survey conducted during the budget crises [in 2010], we found that 72% of the people plan to stay in Toledo. Then, we asked another question about participation and found that 76% want to be involved in planning and rebuilding the future of Toledo. Here is my observation — we have about 25% of the citizens who don’t want to be involved and would rather live somewhere else. If we keep spending time trying to please the naysaying 25%, we are going to lose everybody. My recommendation is that we ignore them and focus on the 75% — let’s take a strength based approach, let’s focus on the people with a positive “can do” attitude about the future, and let’s get more and more people involved.
To review more of Cady’s insight and solutions which have been proposed visit www.thefutureoftoledo.org
