Beat the Clock

As city manager of Cape Coral, Terry Stewart doesn't have just one job-and he doesn't answer to just one boss. "I have a myriad of different responsibilities and duties," he says, "and I report to a lot of different people and groups." Often, he says, "I get pulled in a lot of directions."

How does Stewart manage his time when there are so many demands on it?

"Communication is vitally important," he says. "Having an understanding of what good communication is, and how to get to the meat of where you wanted to go without being brusque or offensive; that will do as much as anything else you could do to help you manage your time."

Stewart has managed Cape Coral for two and a half years. Although that doesn't seem long, he is quick to point out that the "average for city managers is three years." During his tenure, the city of Cape Coral has been steadily growing at one of the fastest rates in the nation. That means the city office "has been busy and active since the day I walked in the door," and, he says, each day it gets busier. Stewart is always aware of the many demands on his time from various public groups and agencies. "I work hard to make myself available," he says.

The city office receives an "endless flow of paperwork," Stewart says. So when it comes to prioritizing, he puts the city's strategic objectives first, along with items that involve public safety and welfare. And, of course, anything that involves "saving the city's dollars."

Stewart rarely stops. "I don't take a lot of time off," he says. As a member of the emergency management team, he worked 24 hours a day for four days during Hurricane Charley. He says he is "very comfortable with the fact that the staff is able to deal with the emergencies and stay on top." Despite all the long hours, he says, "I enjoy what I do." -Katie S. Betz