Consultant delves into interpersonal dynamics of Tumwater City Council

A consultant’s report to the Tumwater City Council delved into the interpersonal dynamics and communication patterns of council members and city staff. 

Dr. Wendy Frazier, a consultant who specializes in organizational development, presented her report to the council on Tuesday, July 22. 

City Administrator Lisa Parks said Fraser was brought to help the council address communication challenges, as they work on the city’s strategic plan, a process that involves identifying key priorities.  

Parks said an “atmosphere of trust and respect” and “commitment to solid communication” was important to ensure they have a structure and framework for having difficult conversations during the process. 

In developing the report, Frazier said she held one-on-one conversations with each council member and observed them in their meetings. She said the report reflects her observations, and noted its content includes comments that were brought up by at least two council members. 

The report delves into how the council members feel about their roles, the core process of their jobs as council members, communication patterns and interpersonal dynamics. 

Frazier said the council members felt the purpose of the council was clear and they deeply cared about their roles. 

Council members appreciated city staff for helping them understand topics and prepare for meetings. Other positives include the effectiveness of committees and council members appreciating the ongoing work for a financial forecasting tool that would allow them to make better-informed decisions. 

Communication challenges  

There were, however, concerns about delays in getting information from executive members.  Council members said they want more follow-ups, more direct communication with city staff, more advanced communication on important issues and more information on the community calendar.  

They also suggested a buddy system and mentoring for new council members. 

Several council members acknowledged that some of them need help with better communication in terms of tone, timing and choice of words, especially during difficult conversations. 

According to the report, some council members admitted being direct communicators, which they know affects how others perceive them. 

General respect among council members was noted, but some council members believe there’s a lack of respect between some council members and executive leaders. 

Frazier noted unresolved feelings and experiences continue to affect how they communicate and interact. She said there’s a desire for council members to get past those issues, but highlighted the importance of resolving issues. 

Frazier also noted that some council members feel that some of them have strong egos, which negatively impacts trust. 

She also noted concerns about the spreading of rumors and talking about certain people in a negative light. 

Frazier said the hope was to build a foundation of trust and deepen their connection with one another. She highlighted the importance of strengthening trust, as the city selects a new mayor and to end Mayor Debbie Sullivan’s term on a positive note. 

She also offered short- and long-term recommendations, particularly about structure and framework to address communication problems, as well as tools and activities to instill better communication. 

Frazier offered to conduct a 15-minute activity for the council members, but they preferred to schedule a dedicated day for the activity when they are all physically together.