The day-to-day requirements for local government CEOs require them to lead effectively, deliver formal council meetings, conduct interviews and deal with constant emails and social media queries. The research found that many CEOs regularly face what has been termed 'professional incivility'. This refers to persistent low-level disrespect, social undermining, and rudeness while carrying out their duties, which concerningly, the study indicated is often perceived as normal workplace behaviour. This experience may not however, be exclusive to CEO's, with many leading figures in local government being subject to such poor behaviour.

According to the research, such 'professional incivility' can originate from both within and outside the local government organisation. Internal sources can include council members and staff, while external sources can include the media, the public, business leaders and stakeholders. Importantly, this behaviour was found to have an inherently negative impact on the psychological and physical wellbeing of CEO's, representing an overlooked workplace issue and an unnecessary challenge for those tasked with leading our communities.

The findings suggest that local governments can better support their leaders. In addition to this, they also identified a powerful coping mechanism termed 'emotional self-regulation'. CEOs who actively manage their emotional responses - such as choosing to respond politely despite rudeness tend to experience fewer instances of incivility and report better overall wellbeing. Encouraging respectful communication and equipping local government leaders with coping strategies can reduce workplace incivility and improve their health and wellbeing. Creating a more civil and supportive environment benefits not only leaders but the entire community they serve.

The study from UWA offers members valuable insights into the challenges faced by local government CEOs and highlights actionable strategies to foster healthier, more respectful workplaces. As local governments strive for effective leadership, prioritising civility and emotional wellbeing is essential for building resilient and prosperous communities.

For more information we encourage members to contact our risk services team or visit the psychological safe programme webpage. You can also view the full journal article here.