#schongenial: Moving more together, according to the website of the Upper Austrian Association of Municipalities. Which means putting what we have in common before what divides us. How important is appreciation in this context?
Franz Flotzinger: Since its foundation in 1947, one of the central tasks of the Association of Municipalities has been to promote and represent the interests of the Upper Austrian municipalities, which have very different requirements depending on the region. Genuine appreciation is of enormous importance here. Being able to listen, understanding the requirements, meeting your counterpart with interest, authenticity, honesty and, if necessary, criticism.
#schongenial: How is this topic lived out in concrete terms by the Upper Austrian Association of Municipalities towards the municipalities?
Franz Flotzinger: Appreciation has always been an integral part of our organisation's DNA and is expressed through amicable cooperation and flat hierarchies. Interpersonal contacts are characterised by attentiveness and respectful interaction. I am convinced that it is this culture that makes the best professional results possible.
#simplegenius: The motto of this year's Community Day was "The future needs confidence". Do we lack confidence in (Upper) Austria? How can we increase confidence and what role does the topic of appreciation play here?
Franz Flotzinger: Confidence and appreciation are communicating vessels. One is inconceivable without the other. Increasing appreciation for what we have achieved automatically increases our confidence in tackling the tasks that lie ahead. It is our common task to derive from this realisation a fundamental attitude for all of our personal behaviour, wherever we stand and live in society.
As the hub for all Upper Austrian municipalities, the Association of Municipalities and all its employees have a special responsibility in this regard. Appreciation and confidence are a question of attitude, which is why we have preceded this year's Municipalities Day with the "Appeal": "The future needs confidence" and I am sure that with a little more appreciation and confidence we can achieve even more together.
#schongenial: A nice closing statement, it closes the circle to the beginning of our conversation. Thank you very much!