Mayor Ginny Dickey, Fountain Hills, AZ

"Their goal isn’t to govern better—it’s to blow things up."-Mayor Dickey

This week on the Community Catalysts podcast, Former Mayor Ginny Dickey of Fountain Hills, Arizona, gives an unflinching account of how local politics took a dark turn. Having lost her 2024 reelection bid, Mayor Dickey reflects on the rise of vicious, unprincipled attacks—tactics that had nothing to do with policy or leadership and everything to do with fueling anger and spreading division.

What struck me most in our conversation was how difficult it still is to grasp the strategy—or endgame—of those behind such outrageous incivility. What are they after? Power? Influence? Chaos for its own sake? More importantly, what is their actual governing strategy? What does leadership look like when the goal isn’t to solve problems but to tear things apart?

Mayor Dickey’s experience is a wake-up call. It happened in Fountain Hills, and it will happen in other communities. Her hard-earned insights won’t provide all the answers, but they offer an important perspective for leaders facing similar challenges.

I hope you’ll listen and reflect on how her experience might help you stay alert and ready to respond.

Would YOU be interested in sharing a story from your own journey to leadership? I’m always looking for instructive and inspiring voices to feature on the show!  Let me know: www.CatalystGuest.us. 

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