Any good boss wants employees who will offer suggestions, raise new ideas and occasionally even disagree with him or her.

That principle also seems to apply to the relationship between a city manager and the elected city commissioners who serve as his or her boss.

In preparation for the upcoming search for a new Lawrence city manager, city commissioners need to define as closely as possible what kind of person they are looking for. At the heart of that definition is whether they want a city manager who primarily implements the decisions of the City Commission or a city manager who actively gives advice and makes suggestions about new policies and projects.

The balance between administrator and activist sometimes can be difficult. City commissioners depend on a city manager to keep track of trends and update them on what other cities are doing. On the other hand, they are the bosses, and they expect a city manager and the city staff to respond to whatever issues or directives they raise.

Both strategies pose perils. A city manager who mostly reacts to directives of the commission may keep commissioners happy, but he or she also runs the risk of having to make major shifts in policy whenever new commissioners take office. These abrupt changes in philosophy can hold back projects that are important to the city’s future.

A city manager who takes an active role in setting a direction for the city may benefit the city’s long-range goals, but may occasionally find himself at odds with changing personnel on the city commission. That’s why managers who become more active in making policy also must have the political skills to handle the dissension and personalities on the commission.

It’s also possible for a city manager to have too much power. It’s great to have a manager who is full of new ideas and potential initiatives, but a city commission that is providing proper oversight may find it occasionally has to rein in its hired staff.

Mayor Boog Highberger said this week, “My sense is that the majority of the commission is interested in a candidate who will be active and initiate changes.” That probably is a good choice for a city that’s growing and evolving as much as Lawrence is. A dynamic manager willing to bring new ideas to the city may challenge the city commissioners from time to time, but that’s not all bad. A talented employee who raises thoughtful ideas often can help his bosses make better decisions for everyone.