Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative

Case and Materials

Mayoral Transitions: How Three Mayors Stepped into the Role, in Their Own Words

  • Lisa Cox Mitch Weiss Kimberlyn Leary headshot
  • Authors Lisa C. Cox, Mitchell B. Weiss, Jorrit de Jong, Kimberlyn Leary

Last Updated

Topic
Strategic Leadership and Management
Locations
North America, Northeast Region, United States, South Region, United States

Overview

New mayors face distinct challenges as they assume office. These vignettes depict three types of mayoral transitions and help set up a discussion to explore how new leaders can make the most of their first 100 days by asserting their authority and leveraging a strong team to overcome obstacles.

Guides for using this case are forthcoming.

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Supporting Materials

Introduction

Mayoral transitions can stretch for many months between election to inauguration or can be as compact as a couple of weeks—or even days. They can represent jarring shifts from the status quo or commitments to continuity. Regardless of the specific circumstances, stepping into the role, building a team, and preparing to deliver on campaign promises is a daunting challenge.

This case presents the stories of three leaders who took the helm of U.S. cities under varying circumstances: Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Greg Fischer; Mount Vernon, New York, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard; and Miami, Florida, Mayor Francis Suarez.

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The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is located at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University.