Why Leadership Choices Matter More Than Campaign Promises

Every mayoral race is filled with promises—about public safety, taxes, economic development, and city services. Yet the most consequential decision a mayor will make rarely takes center stage on the campaign trail: who is chosen to lead the city’s operations.

In Good to Great, Jim Collins reminds us that transformation begins not with strategy, but with people—getting the wrong people off the bus, the right people on the bus, and placing them in the right seats. That lesson applies directly to the city government. Vision without execution is aspiration, not leadership.

Too often, loyalty is mistaken for qualification. While loyalty has value, it cannot substitute for knowledge, experience, integrity, and the ability to execute. When loyalty becomes the primary metric for leadership selection, accountability erodes, performance suffers, and residents ultimately pay the price.

Effective leadership teams are built with intention. They require individuals who understand complex systems, have the experience to anticipate challenges, possess the integrity to act in the public interest, and demonstrate the discipline to deliver results. Where capable people need development, a mayor must be willing to invest in building their skills. Where capacity is lacking, preserving the status quo becomes a disservice—to the individual, the team, and the City.

This is why meaningful change demands the courage to reorganize. Reorganization is not punitive, nor is it political. It is an act of stewardship—aligning people, roles, and responsibilities with the mission of delivering reliable, high-quality services to residents.

Before voters weigh policy platforms and campaign slogans, there is a more fundamental question worth asking:

Does this candidate have the courage—and the judgment—to build the right team—one defined by knowledge, experience, integrity, and execution?

For those stepping forward to lead, this moment is an opportunity—not just to win an election, but to set a higher standard for governance. Campaigns speak to hope; leadership turns hope into results. The willingness to assemble the right team, invest in people, and align talent with purpose is where real change begins.

To every candidate seeking to serve: lead with courage. Commit now to building a leadership team that reflects the seriousness of the work, the dignity of public service, and the promise of what this City can become. The future will be shaped not only by the vision you share—but by the people you choose to help carry it forward.

This Op-Ed is written by Trenton resident Gene Bouie