Jeff Ma  
Hello and welcome to Love as a Business Strategy, a podcast that brings humanity to the workplace. We're here to talk about business. But we want to tackle topics that most business leaders shy away from. We believe that humanity and love should be at the center of every successful business. I'm your host, Jeff Ma. And as always, I want to have conversations with real people hear real stories about the real world. And one of my personal missions in doing the work that I do is to make an impact to the world and really to our communities to make a real change. And I've always believed that this philosophy of love that we talk about, it belongs in all workplaces, but especially so in government and in local government. I'm joined today by Paulina Valero, who is the Community Engagement Manager for the city of Sugarland, which happens to be the city in which I proudly live. And Paulina has been working in local government over the last six years developing and transforming programs aimed at engaging educating and empowering the community. And Paulina, welcome to the show. I'm really excited to have you here. How are you today?

Paulina Valero  
Yeah, thank you. I'm very good. I'm, I'm a little nervous. But I'm very excited and honored to be here. I'm looking forward for a conversation with you about it. And yeah, I'm, I'm ready. I'm very good. How are you?

Jeff Ma  
So, so awesome to have you. And, you know, I'll kick it off first with just a little bit. I just want to hear a little bit about you. I have a lot of questions for you around the local government piece and all that other stuff. But for you what, what is your passion and what brought you to the role you played today?

Paulina Valero  
I always started I've always been since I started my career in either a nonprofit or local government. And I think that started since i i guess from the moment I realized I wanted to go to grad school. And I focus a lot of my studies on women, and women's rights and human rights internationally. And I have a master's degree in diplomacy and international relations. And during my master's degree, I took an internship in DC at the tahari Justice Center, and they're a national nonprofit. And they help they provide free legal services to women and girls who are fleeing gender based violence. And after I graduated, I got a job with them here in Houston, which is why I moved here. And I was there for a couple of years. And then I moved to another nonprofit. And then I moved here. So it's always been something that's I don't I don't know if this sounds very cheesy or not, but like, it's something that it's been more than just myself, it's something larger or something, hopefully, for the greater good. I've never really thought of myself as like, a corporate executive in any way. At one point, I wanted to be a lawyer and you know, defend human rights and you know, things like that. So it's always been my interest to know to work for something for the greater good to make a bigger impact to to for the work that I'm doing to mean something for someone else other than just me. I think that's that's where what got me here. I really didn't know that local government could be that. Or I guess you I didn't think about it until until I was here. And yeah, it's been I think that's that's what that's what brought me here you know, something that's more than more than more than just me.

Jeff Ma  
Not cheesy at all. I share I share the almost the exact same mission in what I'm doing so I love to hear it. I part of the reason I think I'm so excited about this conversation, though, is because bringing humanity to the workplace is the The motto that I live by, and my colleagues live by our mission. And the workplace, when anyone talks about a workplace, you automatically go to a corporate kind of business environment. And even if you're thinking outside the box, you'll move to like retail and in service industries and stuff like that, we don't often include government, in the, in this workplace conversation, in fact, when you really think about it, like nobody, I can picture what it's like to work at this at Uber, I can picture what it's like to work at, you know, a grocery store, very few of us can picture what it's like to work at local government or in government, you know, as a not not as a politician, not as you know, but like, just in government, this government does not run itself it is, is a workplace of people doing the work. And so I really, I guess, I'll start here, what? What's it like? You know, like, just start there? Like, what's it like working in local government?

Paulina Valero  
Yeah, um, it's very interesting, you say that, because I don't think it's an, at least, my personal view of it, my personal take is that it's hard to see it from the outside. Especially, you know, from the constituent side, if if, you know, if you're a resident of certain city, state, federal, and, you know, and all those government entities, it's always, it always seems like, it's this obscure, hard to access hard to reach entity, and you hardly start stop to think about that. It's yeah, it's just, it's made of people just like me. And it's not, it's not a, there's not a, you know, a scheme or anything going on, you know, like, it's all of us work here, because we care about giving back and we care about the community, like otherwise, we would be working in corporate, you know, like, it's, it's a, it's a, I think it has to be a certain type of personal value for one to want to work for government or local government. And it's, it's funny how, you know, you hear this about, like, the importance of staying engaged and local government being like, your first lined of line of representation, really, in terms of, you know, what, what you want for yourself or your family, from the people who represent you. That's exactly it is different, because we're not elected officials. But, you know, we're in the, in the, behind the scenes, doing doing, you know, doing the, the roads and the parks, and the, you know, and things like that. And so, it's, it's definitely a very interesting environment and dynamic, because, ultimately, you know, we do work for the public. And it's, I think, for the most part in my role, what I would want is for people to look at us as people, and not, you know, not anything else, you know, like, like, I was just saying, I, I'm just lived down the street, you know, it's just me, yeah. And for them to trust their government, because it is run, you know, by Other people are just humans, it's just other people, you know, who happen to care about, you know, the community and the greater good. So it's so it's very interesting, it's, it's very hard at times, sometimes gets easier, but for the most part, it's like, on the go, and, you know, constant, you know, changing of, you know, kind of like for everything, you have to like be ready to hit the ground running. And, you know, you owe yourself to the public. So you have to be ready to respond, which is always, which is always up, you know, it's always a thing, it's always, you know, ever present.

Jeff Ma  
Yeah, you know, I think we think of public servants. We don't wrap everybody into that label enough, because you're all public servants. And I think the way I look at this and the reason I connect this so strongly to love as a business strategy is that if you look at the government, and all of us, everybody who's listening and the communities as one large business ecosystem, there's a reality in the sense that, you know, there's taxpayer money going into one place and it's being spent, it's being spent on the work being done by you and your colleagues. Yeah, and that creates really interesting dynamics, right? Where, because you're public servants, there's this feeling that, you know, you work for me, like you work. And there's a truth to that. But there's also, at times, mindsets and behaviors that kind of you have to deal with, I assume, you know, for instance, just going up to City Hall and making a complaint, because we're entitled to, you know, retribution for our problems, because we pay the tax, we pay the taxes that that pay your paychecks. And I think there's, I think that kind of dialogue, that kind of thing is where I can see so much of like, love, as a business strategy, entering the equation, if we all have a little more empathy for the work that we all do together and own up to our own side of the equation as well. Yeah. Because because government is, in a lot of ways villainized, you know, and kind of seen as the bad guy. And so we contexts, have you, you have stories of like experiencing that firsthand, or, or you mentioned, it's hard, like, what kind of things have you seen that like?

Paulina Valero  
So I in my role, it's, of course, very outward facing, right. It's very external, like, I'm an external department and like me, myself, I'm out there, you know, I'm, you know, meeting with this group of Sugarland leaders who are residents who were part of part of the program, we meet every month, they know my name, they know my face, they have my cell phone. And, you know, it's, it's just a handful of people. And but we're also at HOA meetings, we host quarterly HOA meetings were out in community events and things like that. And so that is, it's hard, because you're the first line of defense. And I don't mean defense, as in, it's always confront, it's not always combative, or anything like that, but like, we're the face of it, right. And so, for example, if I'm at an HOA meeting, you know, if there's a complaint about the drainage study that was done, I don't know, a year ago, like, what's up with that, and, you know, I take it, and then I get, go back, talk to colleagues, Hey, what's up with is any updates, and I go back, you know, but for the most part, when it's something super sensitive, then it's, most of the time, I found that people just want to be heard, even if whatever they are requesting or whatever they want, can't be done. So sometimes, it's just them feeling feeling like they're, they they're seen, that they're valued, that they're being heard the opportunity to just voice, their beliefs, their concerns, what's important to them. And we're all here for that. And that's like, it's honestly part of that's my job, you know, like, I welcome any and all conversations and feedback and, you know, with, with, of course, the understanding that we cannot accommodate every single one of them, it would be impossible, that our job is to give those spaces to people. And that's hard, because you're you're there listening to too. Sometimes these conversations are very uncomfortable, sometimes you know that something is just not possible. And it's just the way that it is and you have to with the highest level of empathy and respect that you can communicate to say, I hear what you're saying, I appreciate your concern. This is what it is kind of situation. So it's that's that's the hard part because it can feel like even if I'm giving you the space to say what you need to say. Like if, if there's nothing more to be done about XYZ, you know, sometimes that's just the reality. So it's hard to you know,

Jeff Ma  
and there's so much to connect there with with just any human interaction across other businesses and other environments where you're absolutely right. A lot of times we just want to be heard, and a lot of times that relationship isn't built because one side feels unheard, or is not heard, or is not acted upon when they when they feel like they should. And I feel like government and this is probably just my own perspective, or experience or bias, but it feels like government is especially something about government is especially stifling when it comes to that communication line. Where it we often make assumptions that like oh, well if I complain to the government, nothing will happen. Or if I had to to the government, that's going to be a tedious process or, you know, like, compared to going to the DMV, and like, it's just gonna be a long line with no people who don't really care. Like, how much truth do you see in that? And why do you think, you know, if it's not true? What do you think that that comes across that way?

Unknown Speaker  
So there's, there's there's certainly certain things that we have to do. In, you know, a certain order or like, by the book, things like that, you know, there's, there's, there's rules to be followed for any and all that we do. And so there's a lot of, you know, steps and approvals. And yeah, you know, there's, there's, your bureaucracy part of it, for sure. But it is, it is. I think, I don't know how much of it is just the getting used to or understanding what goes behind it. Right. It's never about to, I guess it's more of an awareness type of situation. Because it does. I think that if people more understood, what goes back what goes on, behind the scenes, they would understand that, you know, this is the process, this is how it's done. This is are all the people that are involved in this. And I think that maybe it's a, it's a more of an awareness issue, where once you understand, and once you see, then it becomes a, you know, without without trying to, without it being too cumbersome or too long or too hard. We certainly do not want to create barriers to entry, right? Like, that's the least, that's the least that we want, we never want to do that. We realize that, you know, we rely on the trust of the people to get things done, otherwise, nothing would have been, you know, progress wouldn't be possible. So, you know, there's this effort of being transparent about, you know, certain things that we do, but but the budget process, in big projects that are coming up and try to give as much space for people to be involved in the process, you know, every step of the way possible. We do that. And I think that for the most part, there's this complacency from a lot of people when you just because you're you're banking on the fact that your government is going to do what needs what they need to do for you. Right. And so for the most part, you'd be like, Okay, well, yeah, you know, like, I pay my water bill, and, you know, they pick up my trash, and it's good. If I need a permit, I'll go get it at City Hall. And, like, it's fine. It's like, oh, you know, like, there's businesses here in there. And like, it's all good. I, you know, you kind of like, go on the autopilot situation. And I would say that that's the majority of people. I think you just go by your day, trusting that your Government will, will take care of you. And, and then when there's something that may be harder, or change or controversy of some sort, then that's where, you know, you you hear people wanting to get involved, it's usually it's usually on the other side, like people who are happy and content, they'll just be happy, you know? And not that not to say that every interaction we have is because there's a negative at all. But, but yeah, I think with with that part of with that part, it's important to just make sure to open the space and to give them give them a chance to voice their concerns and understand what goes behind it and understand that it's all done with the utmost professionalality, is that a word? Professional, professionalism. Thank you.

Jeff Ma  
So, you know, when I visited when I visit, you know, City Hall. I personally ended maybe there's just me and maybe I walked down the right hallways, but I felt a lot of a sense of like, amongst the employees, at least, I sensed a lot of, and I'm hesitant to call it love directly, but there's a lot of a lot of warmth, a lot of friendliness and energy and kindness coming from most people I interact with. Yeah, and yeah, and not to sound, I guess, but I was I was surprised. I was kind of just like, because of that, like what you mentioned that lack of understanding and empathy for what we work is actually done in that building. It's hard for me to really relate to these, these things that I assume just like, need to be run and just kind of run themselves, like, what do you what do you all do here, and there's so much to be done, of course, I've learned along the way of all the things and more, I have so much more to learn. But I've learned that a lot, it takes a lot of work to make things, what other people just kind of take for granted, or most people take for granted. That just function. And so, you know, that's what I sensed what talk a little bit about your experience, you know, inside the walls it did I just happen to walk into the right rooms, or,

Paulina Valero  
or well, for sure you were in the right room up walked into, we walked into the Innovation Suite. And that's full of people who are just like have the brightest minds and tend to have like, the kindest hearts like it's, it's true, probably of everyone who's in that office. But yeah, and I would say that that's like a new, it's a new I don't want to say it is I guess, a value or new vibe, if you will. I remember when I first started, it all has to do with Well, I started six years ago, and I was still in my 20s. But it's, I felt like it was a lot more serious all the time. You know, I came in and like my first day, I think I wore a suit. And you know, it's a very relaxed environment a lot more than it used to be for sure. And there's this thing where, you know, it was hard for you to gauge if it was appropriate to I don't know, say something about your personal life, or your personal beliefs or political beliefs, or, you know, all of those things, you know, as a person, you know, to bring your true self to work. That's, I think, been recently just put out there.

Jeff Ma  
Just change it's changing, is what you're saying? Yeah,

Paulina Valero  
yeah. And not that you couldn't, there was always a certain type of flexibility, right. Like, and I don't know if this is what you mean, but I think it's related to that. Like, when you say, like, bring your true self to work. Like I remember, like, when I started, I had purple hair, but I tied it in a bun and like, you know, like, look as professional as I could. And then they wrote a policy for people to be actually be able to wear colored hair, and then I like chopped it all off. And they're like, No, we just did this thing. And, you know, so there's always been that, that, that thing, right to like to try to be welcoming, and, and, and everything and all of that. But but not too recently, it was like a, like a purposeful effort to like, make it be a thing like city why, you know, you can talk about what is important to you as a person. We have, you know, different employee organizations, we have a culture team, we have a dei team, we have a Women's Empowerment Network team. And so all those things that started to happen with, with being able to feel like you could be yourself at work, and I and I think that that is that's big, you know, that's, that's certainly something that you spend your life here, you know, like half your day you spend with, with people with, that you work with, and so it's important to be able to show them, what you stand for and who you are. And so there's obviously, you know, obviously, people that you know, you have closer relationships with than others, and that's totally fine. That's human nature, of course, and, you know, there's certainly people here that I not even met for that long, we're known for that long that, you know, just thinking about it, like, it makes me a little bit emotional because of how kind they are. You know, there's, there's people like that for sure. They're just full of light and kindness. ,

Jeff Ma  
And yeah, and my, my goal kind of subtly behind all this as I hope, I think I hope listeners kind of are reminded or maybe learned for the first time of the humanity that has to go into doing what you do and working in in with you and all your colleagues do. And to me there's there's an important step we have to take as a community when it comes to bring humanity back to really our lives. workplaces of all of us. And to me, I think just local government has such an important role, obviously, in keeping things going. But also, I feel like they need help from the community. Like, I feel like you need help from the community in terms of support, understanding, empathy, and love, if you will. And I think there's such there's a, there's a gap there to bridge because of all the things I mentioned up front, right, the kind of preconceived kind of stigmas and, and notions of the government itself, and the lack of understanding of what the work is, and how it actually plays out. All those things are things that I truly hope people can start getting involved with more and getting more understanding around and seeking because it's super important. I think the way that we build our communities, the way they grow and evolve can only be done through collaborations it's done. It's led by the workers in this public servants. But they can only do so much without the support from everybody. Yeah. And that community connection. Like, I guess I didn't have a question, though. This is? . Feels Yeah.

Paulina Valero  
Yes it's very true. I think that, you know, I don't think that anything that we did, especially in my role, would matter if I didn't care about what people had to say, or that I didn't consider it. You know, it might sound like super basic and super simple. But like, as, as simple as you know, with again, with this Srila leaders programming, I talked about it only because it's ongoing. And it's, you know, it's a program that I managed, but, you know, something as simple as, hey, you know, we just met with these two departments, and we talked about XYZ, like, how do you feel the information that you were given today? Is it useful? Did Can you take it and do something with it? What were you missing? What did you think about the content that we were given that you were given? What did you think about, you know, the PowerPoint presentation, the materials, the content, the location, the staff, you know, like, it's the simplest way, you know, like, and I keep telling people who are part of this program, you know, like, our main goal was to engage civically civic minded people who want it to be engaged. And so like, you're already here, you already, you know, just by virtue of applying to be part of this program, you know, you're telling us that, that you want to be engaged, and you want to be involved, you know, and it starts with that it starts with you telling us what you think about what we're doing, you know, like, I can, I can make it better, if, if you don't tell me what to fix, or what's broken, or what's not working, or, you know, things like that. And so it's as simple as that, like, I rely on them. 100% To tell me, if what I'm offering and what we're offering is fruitful and useful. And they, they find that it's worth their time. And, you know, yeah, absolutely. We rely on them. 100%

Jeff Ma  
Yeah, and I just hope that people can hear you and see the the humanity that's behind a lot is this. It's such a simple concept. But I think without this exposure, we still just go about our days, not not thinking about, like people who have our backs without like, behind the scenes and doing their very best. And so, Paulina, I want to appreciate you for taking the time to kind of share that perspective today. And kind of giving us a peek behind the curtain of local government, because it is a mystery, it is still this thing that people are going to have to go and kind of learn more about on their own. But I think there's so much value in connecting as a community member to the public servants to being knowledgeable about these things, because it kind of empowers everybody as a community to kind of, to rise up and do greater things together. And I'm a firm believer in that. So thank you so much for your time today.

Unknown Speaker  
For sure. Thank you, I hope that it was that it was, you know, good to hear and good information and that it, it creates something positive, if anything out of out of our conversation that that it created a positive perspective and someone that you know, I think that that will be the the best outcome, you know, to have someone to say like, Hey, you know, it's just, it's just people and they, they are truly committed to the work that they do. And, you know, we always, again, like, you know, we're a group of professionals who, who happen to work for local government because we care about the community. And that's our way of giving back. So hopefully it came across in my very convoluted answers.

Jeff Ma  
For sure, for sure. So, thank you to the listeners who tune in religiously. Thank you so much, and we hope you're enjoying all the content. If you haven't already, everybody, check out the book love as a business strategy. And don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast and tell a friend. With that. We will see everybody next week. Thank you so much.