For a number of months Jim Smith, IVGID trustee, has been assailed by some fellow trustees and members of the community for micromanagement of the IVGID staff.

Micromanagement is the process in which, “…the manager not only tells a subordinate what to do but dictates that the job be done a certain way regardless of whether that way is the most effective or efficient one.”

This is not what Mr. Smith has done. I think that what Mr. Smith has done has been more of a constructive criticism process.

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“Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one. In collaborative work, this kind of criticism is often a valuable tool in raising and maintaining performance standards.”

This has been Mr. Smith’s modus operandi.

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In my opinion, Mr. Smith is highly qualified in providing constructive criticism. His company, Service Scouts, has a long list of major organizations which embrace his expertise.

His educated eye for detecting areas of need is acute. He has visited all of the venues and given feedback to the IVGID General Manager to what he has observed as needing attention, but has not directed managers or staff as to how the improvement should be done.

To assure that the deficient item has been remedied, he follows up.

One of Mr. Smith’s campaign promises was to provide “…a strategic plan to ‘Right Size’ IVGID Operations utilizing best management practices.’” His actions are fulfilling his promises, something few elected officials do.

Be reminded that Mr. Smith was overwhelming elected based on the tenets of his platform. His actions apparently are distressing individuals who want only the status quo.

If Incline Village is to emerge as a world class place to live, status quo is a woefully inadequate pursuit.

Tom Bruno

Incline Village