National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers

Employee Negativity is Like Wildfire: Leaders Need to Address It Before It Spreads

Knowing how to turn down the volume on negative group emotions when they become counterproductive is a critical skill for today’s court leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic showed just how consequential this type of leadership can be, particularly during a crisis. “The experience of negative emotions at the collective level is often amplified, which may have adverse effects [on an organization],” Goldenberg says. “In many cases, it can lead to suboptimal decisions, to irrational choices or, for example in the case of anxiety, to not waiting long enough for things to happen.”

Worthy of thankful reﬂection: The court system

When siblings are bickering, one will sometimes say, “You better stop it, or I’ll tell Mom!” Adults just say, “See you in court!” The sentiment is the same — there is an adult in the room somewhere, someone who will not take sides in ending ﬁghts and righting wrongs. And so, high on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving is something about which we often complain and usually take for granted — the court system. Courts are the adult in the room.

Making government (courts) an even better place for women to work

McKinsey & Company’s 2022 report found that women in the public and social sectors saw higher promotion rates than men: 107 women for every 100 men promoted. By contrast, only 87 women in the overall workforce were promoted for every 100 men. WOC in government saw a promotion rate from entry level to manager of 4.2 percent compared with 1.6 percent for all women. These findings indicate that while the public and social sectors make up a small proportion of all industries, they are setting a higher standard on the promotion to manager relative to other sectors.

Managers v. Leaders

If you were asked to imagine a manager, you might well conjure up someone comically boring, desk-bound and monotonal. Now do the same for a leader. You may well be picturing someone delivering a rousing speech. A horse may be involved. You almost certainly have different types in mind. There is indeed a distinction between managers and leaders, but it should not be overdone.

WEBINAR: The Delicate Dynamics of Challenging Court Leaders

The act of challenging higher-ranking court leaders within the judicial branch necessitates more than just raising one’s voice; it involves understanding, navigating, and engaging in the subtle yet complex dance of power dynamics, diplomacy, and mutual respect. Wise leaders understand that a free exchange of ideas is invaluable since it often leads to more innovative, workable solutions. Approaching a superior in the professional hierarchy requires a delicate balance and deep understanding of both the person and the situation.

Illinois First State to Abandon Cash Bail

In a 5-to-2 decision, the Illinois Supreme Court recently concluded monetary bail as a condition of pretrial release for criminal defendants in all courts of the state would end. The special action that sparked this decision was brought to the Court by the Illinois Attorney General and the State’s Attorney of Kankakee County challenging Public Acts 101-652 and 102-1104, adopted a few years ago by the legislature, which eliminated cash bail effective January 1, 2023. The Supreme Court subsequently concluded the Acts did not violate the Illinois Constitution nor damage the separation of powers doctrine and ordered trial courts to cease ordering monetary bail as of September 18.

2023 Top Likely Court Futures to Watch

Twelve surveys conducted over ten years have sought to answer the question: What is the most likely future for courts? By assessing the probability of various scenarios occurring within the next ten years, then averaging those results, we have developed estimates of what the future might hold for courts.

Get Involved

NAPCO 2026