ArcaMax

As the calendar winds down, I reflect on the lessons learned during my first full year as a city council member. One theme stands out: my commitment to operate in good faith, even when it hasn't always been reciprocated.

Good faith is about assuming positive intentions, engaging with openness, and striving to find common ground. It's about believing that we all want what's best for our community despite our differences. This approach has guided my conversations and decision-making. I hope it makes me approachable and fair, even to those who disagree.

But is it effective?

This year tested that hypothesis. I've learned that good faith isn't always met with the same in return. There were moments when I reached across divides, only to find the hand extended back to me was holding an agenda I wasn't privy to. I encountered individuals and groups more focused on advancing personal agendas than fostering genuine dialogue. Collaboration was treated as a means to an end, not a shared effort toward progress. These experiences were disappointing, but they were also instructive.

I don't regret leading with good faith. I've learned that good faith is not a shield against bad actors or a guarantee that others will meet you halfway. However, choosing to operate otherwise feels like surrendering to cynicism, and cynicism has no place in the kind of job I intend to do for the next three years. If anything, these experiences have reaffirmed my belief in the necessity of good faith. Without it, we risk losing the humanity that should underpin public service.

I've also learned the importance of discernment. Operating in good faith doesn't mean being naive or unaware of others' intentions. It's about maintaining integrity while navigating the complexities of public service. It's about staying grounded in principles even when others stray from them. Those who act in bad faith may achieve short-term wins, but their victories are hollow. Progress built on manipulation is fragile and unsustainable.

Acting in good faith isn't a strategy; it's a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it's the harder path. My commitment remains a strength, not a vulnerability.

Sure, good faith may expose me sometimes, but it also ensures that my decisions are rooted in sincerity and authenticity. It's not always easy, and it's not always reciprocated, but it remains my compass. To those who acted in bad faith, I harbor no ill will. If anything, their actions have strengthened my resolve to stay true to my values. To those who operate in good faith, I will always meet you with open hands and a collaborative spirit.

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Cassie McClure is a writer, millennial, and unapologetic fan of the Oxford comma. She can be contacted at cassie@mcclurepublications.com. To find out more about Cassie McClure and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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