The pace of activity and degree of change in today's water utility operating environment require managers to learn and apply excellent communication skills. It is especially important for utility general managers to develop a strategy to communicate with their elected officials and boards and establish a good working relationship. Given the volume of decisions and rate of activity for both general managers and elected officials, an established relationship built over time will ease tension when making major utility decisions. This paper discusses the importance and value for general managers to develop strategies to communicate with elected officials and establish agreement for implementing or expanding competitive programs and/or other major expenditures.