My two lives with City CAO Randy Diehl

Whenever Randy Diehl gets really cheesed off with somebody, his first impulse is to reach for the phone. After resisting that temptation, he writes a scorching memo or email.

Then he lets it simmer for 24 hours. If it’s still a little too hot, he gives it more time.

I’ve been thankful for this practice, on a few occasions over the past six years, after being on the receiving end of his discontent. Avoiding first impulses is but one of Diehl’s strengths.

Many have known him longer, but for roughly half of his years as the City’s chief administrative officer, I was his colleague (and, technically at least, his boss).

For the other half, I’ve been, in a sense, his critic.

But I can tell you that during all that time I’ve admired his administrative abilities. Comments this week lauding him for bringing a new sense of direction and leadership to City Hall are not over-stated.

He won the job in December of 2000. It wasn’t handed to him; he had to fight hard for it.

A head hunter came up with 65 applicants, short-listed them to a half dozen, and turned it over to council. All of them were exceptional, several already holding comparable jobs in larger cities.

Like a jury in a court trial, members of council began divided but eventually were able to make a decision. Diehl has made those civic politicians, of which I was one, look pretty damn smart.

He was fortunate, in a sense, that some others in the administrative staff were reaching retirement age, which allowed him to pick the people who would work for him.

One of Diehl’s greatest strengths has been his ability to bridge the gap between council and administration while retaining an appropriate separation of church and state.

Any government is tested by the juxtaposition of political decision-making with administrative decision-making, and it can be lethal. Diehl’s office door was always open for members of council, a big change from the way things had been done for many years.

This new model was made official when we as a council created the first comprehensive strategic plan, and Diehl tied it directly into a clear corporate plan. This keeps policy maklng in the hands of mayor and council, but allows administration to carry out that policy with minimum interference.

Part and parcel of this approach is Diehl’s personal style. He empowers staff to manage, treats them well and is a popular leader. When they are criticized publicly, he bristles, and he defends them, but if they need to be pulled in for a pep talk, he’ll do it, and they get the message.

My relationship with Diehl has been entirely different since I returned to The Daily News six years ago. He knows well that public servants and media exist in a constant state of tension, one that he’s wary of.

There are times when I’ve believed Diehl to be flat-out wrong, and he’s made a few decisions I continue to believe were wrong (I’m guessing the sentiment is returned).

But I challenge anyone to name another municipal CAO who comes close to his standards. The standing ovation he received in council chambers this week when he announced his May 1 retirement date was sincere, and totally deserved.