Miami's Manny

Manny Diaz


Manny Diaz was the mayor of Miami, Florida from 2001-2009. During his time in office and since, he has been heralded as one of the best mayors America's cities have ever seen. A man from humble beginnings-- as a teen he worked as a high-school janitor for $1.10 while facing hardships and hatred due to his Cuban background-- Diaz his risen to become a respected figure in American politics. In fact, he is now the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and some speculate a potential candidate for higher White House offices.

Diaz is clearly a democratic leader. He strives to combine the efforts of not just his direct employees, but all 3,655 employees of the city. He allows them to take on their own initiatives, for example, police chief John Timoney recalls working with Diaz himself to implement policies and strategies to lower Miami's staggering crime rate. He has also worked with the city's prominent bankers to help them achieve their goals of pulling Miami out of near-bankruptcy and realize new conclusions about how to bank effectively. Many of his supporters notice his democratic efforts and really appreciate that he is willing to consider multiple view points and empower other city officials, a mayoral quality many fear Miami's current mayor, Regalado, will not be able to supply.

Diaz's power stems from legitimate power, reward power and referent power. Under Diaz, constituents were inspired to take pride and responsibility of their home Miami. As a young boy of only 6, Diaz fled Castro's revolutionary Cuba to come a U.S. city where signs on some stores would say "No dogs, no Cubans,"as if dehumanizing Diaz and his family. His background definitely shaped the inspiration his constituents felt in him-- if this man, once rejected by Miami could own it and love it, they should be able to as well. In return, Diaz gave them rewards in the form of a cleaner, safer Miami. Diaz took a personal role in this-- he drove a hybrid car and picks up trash in the city's parks, again inspirational. But I believe Diaz's main source of power was his referent power because he was able to restore the self-worth the citizens and employees of Miami felt. He admits that "On the streets of Miami, an AK-47 is cheaper to buy than a PlayStation," but his honestly and humbleness allows the Miami population to relate to him and in turn, almost feel his approval. His personal approach-- he answers his own email and write his own blog-- indicates to Miami that he is one of them, and that each citizen or employee is worth his attention. Diaz does not exert coercive power, in fact, his style is more transformational. All of his sources of power have allowed him to positively change the outlook and behavior of his followers. He keeps the interest of Miami ahead of his own, and this is seen in even small actions, like how he drives a hybrid instead of a gas-guzzling luxury SUV he can most definitely afford. 

My favorite thing about Diaz is his ascension to power. He started off discriminated against, first in his home country and then in his adopted country. But instead of becoming bitter and self-loathing, he focused his energies on creating a more positive environment for Cuban-Americans and all people living in Miami. He learned from his misfortunes instead of allowing them to control him -- he was able to break the cycle of hate and I can only hope that more mayors and leaders in general follow and admire his attitude.

I would say his one flaw is his sometimes negative business-style of leading. I suppose it stems from his background in business and law, but Diaz feels always as if a decision must be made. He is even quoted to have said that a bad decision is better than no decision. I would disagree, feeling that in some situations it is better to absorb and learn more about the environment to delay a decision, because in that case it will be well-informed and not a potentially destructive rash decision.

Bibliography:


Skiba, Katherine. "America's Best Leaders: Manny Diaz, Mayor of Miami - US News and World Report." Breaking National and World News - US News. Web. 7 Oct. 2010. <http://politics.usnews.com/news/best-leaders/articles/2008/11/19/americas-best-leaders-manny-diaz-mayor-of-miami.html?s_cid=related-links:TOP>.


Stevens, Andrew. "City Mayors: Manny Diaz - Mayor of Miami." City Mayors: Mayors Running the World's Cities. Web. 7 Oct. 2010. <http://www.citymayors.com/mayors/miami_mayor.html>