By Luke Fischer

Following the unthinkable assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, on June 14, many of us in public service have wondered how something like this could happen here in Minnesota. Our politics, though impassioned at times, have generally maintained a measure of decency and respect. The murders are an affront to how we operate. I haven’t spoken with anyone involved in civic life who doesn’t feel some sort of personal violation with this tragedy.

At the beginning of August, I attended a conference with fellow state league executive directors from across the country. In our conversations, it was clear that this tragedy is being felt not just in Minnesota, but nationally, as local leaders wrestle with the idea that political violence is something we now must contemplate. We talked about how we got here — and how we can find our way out.

There was general agreement among the league directors that legislation alone will not alleviate the discord or eliminate the potential for political violence. It will take all of us slowing down and engaging with one another in a more personal, genuine way. It will take better listening.

Through our conversations, I was reminded of David Brooks’ most recent book, “How to Know a Person.” It offers a thoughtful analysis of the personal process of seeing and connecting with others, and ideas to consider as we try to mend a frayed social framework:

Presence and active listening. It’s well known that life rewards those who show up. Local leaders understand this — that’s why you attend ribbon cuttings, volunteer at the Lions Club pancake breakfast, and run for office. Showing up is the first step in building good relationships with folks. The next step is active listening, which shows people you’re not just there to check a box. Demonstrate active listening skills by taking notes when someone is talking, setting your phone aside, making eye contact, and giving people space to share their stories.

Curiosity and thoughtful questions. The most effective leaders make people feel valued in conversation. One common skill they bring is a deep level of curiosity — a desire to understand why someone thinks, feels, or believes a certain way. You can do this by asking how they came to a certain belief, what experiences shaped their perspective, or how they would approach a shared problem.

Vulnerability and empathy. It can be difficult to build trust from a position of leadership. Whether you’re sitting behind the council dais or standing behind the counter at city hall, there’s a physical barrier that can mask the deeply human work you do each day. Showing vulnerability and empathy can go a long way toward building trust. It’s OK to share why you’ve struggled with a policy, how a decision has impacted you, or admit that something isn’t perfect.

Beyond first impressions. As local leaders, our work is done at the personal level — with friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and a lot of people you likely know something about. How often have you felt certain of an individual’s thoughts or opinions, only to find out later you were wrong? Too often, we rely on first impressions and don’t take time to go deeper. Listening to understand, not just to respond, can help avoid this trap.

There’s no magic wand to resolve the political tensions and pressures facing those in public service. Instead, we have the next best alternative: about 4,500 Minnesota city elected leaders, and even more city staff, engaged in this work every day. You know what it means to ensure people are heard, to give the public a voice, and to debate respectfully in the spirit of moving your communities forward.

In a heartfelt call for action following the assassination of their parents, Sophie and Colin Hortman urged:

“Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”

That’s something I believe we can all agree to do.

Luke Fischer is executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Contact: [email protected] or (651) 281-1279.