The Ogden Way: 

Ogden City Mayor's Message, Spring 2025

“The Ogden Way” is a collaborative framework that drives our city forward through a vision that aligns our city staff with the needs of our people, businesses, and partners.  This pursuit of community-wide alignment drives operational efficiencies and has the potential to accelerate community-wide impacts.

“The Ogden Way” is also a reflection of our city’s ethos and a standard that we strive to achieve in all that we do.  In so doing, it is a living, breathing movement that shapes how we operate as a city government, as employees, and as a community of residents, businesses, and anchor institutions. This framework sets the stage for a shared commitment to building an environment where every person has access to opportunities to succeed in their own lives, and encourages our city to invest in selfless service to one another, and doing so with a mindset of personal and collective growth, achievement, innovation, and connection.

When viewed as a whole, this framework is about creating a place where people are empowered, differences are embraced, and everyone plays a part in holding themselves accountable for their success while lifting each other up as we rise individually.


We are a city of service and a community of opportunity.

At the heart of The Ogden Way is our mission for Ogden’s employees:

“Fueled by a champion’s drive and an unwavering commitment to service, we innovate and collaborate to overcome challenges, foster opportunities, and create an environment for our people, businesses, and partners
to earn success.”


Our Vision for Ogden:

“A safe, vibrant, and thriving community where you and I connect, grow, and succeed.”

At its core, “The Ogden Way” emphasizes the importance of collaboration in achieving a shared vision through mutual support and a relentless focus on delivering opportunities for all. It’s about enabling success through service, but also recognizing that success is earned through hard work, resilience, and grit. We don’t succeed alone—The Ogden Way is about making sure everyone has access to the resources and support they need in order to thrive.


The Pillars of Human Success

The pillars of human success — public safety, a thriving economy, strong infrastructure, access to education and lifelong learning, active and healthy lifestyles, stable neighborhoods, and meaningful social connections—are essential to creating a thriving community where all people can reach their full potential.

The Ogden Way recognizes that a safe, healthy, and supportive environment is necessary for success. Public safety and infrastructure lay the foundation for daily life, while a strong economy, lifelong learning, stable neighborhoods, and vibrant social connections fuel personal and collective achievement.

These pillars support individuals in their pursuit of success, providing the resources, stability, and opportunities necessary to overcome challenges, reach goals, and achieve greatness.


Public Safety:
A secure and vibrant environment
for all residents and visitors.


Education and Lifelong Learning:
Opportunities to grow and succeed through k-12 education, college readiness and degree pathways, workforce training, trade school certifications, adult education and lifelong learning.


Stable Neighborhoods: Neighborhood districts that foster connection, pride, and resilience through connections with neighbors, parks, recreation, schools, and
houses of worship.


Vibrant Economy:
A robust, diverse, and dynamic economy that supports businesses and workers now and in the future.


Strong Infrastructure:
Reliable and affordable systems and structures that keep the city running safely, efficiently, and reliably.


Healthy Lifestyles:
Access to physical, spiritual, and mental wellness, and recreation opportunities, including trails and open space.


Meaningful Connections:
Events and opportunities that foster social connections to build relationships and a sense of belonging across all cultures, faiths, and socio-economic circumstances.

In The Ogden Way, our values of self-determination and growth mindset empower us to drive our own success, while our commitment to mutual support ensures that we are stronger together. We embrace our differences—from our personal backgrounds to our diverse perspectives, lifestyles, and faiths. Our differences are not just a strength; it is the foundation on which we build our community, creating a place where every individual can flourish.

Ultimately, The Ogden Way is about creating a culture of opportunity, trust, collaboration, and shared success. It’s about being part of something bigger than ourselves and building a community where everyone can reach their full potential, knowing they are supported every step of the way by their friends and neighbors.

When we serve one another through the values of The Ogden Way, we create a cycle of service that is rooted in our shared values, builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and inspires action. It begins with individuals dedicating themselves to acts of service—whether in their work, neighborhoods,
or relationships.

These acts of service ripple outward, fostering trust and unity within our community. Trust encourages collaboration, where people come together to innovate, solve problems, and create opportunities for all. Through collaboration, we build opportunities that facilitate self-determination, ensuring every resident has the resources and support to succeed. As individuals achieve success, they reinvest in others, serving the community as a result. This creates a virtuous Servants’ Cycle, where service inspires service, and the community grows stronger as a result.

This is the way. It’s the only way.

It is The Ogden Way.

— Ben Nadolski, Ogden City Mayor

INTRODUCING: “The Ogden Way” Podcast.  It can be viewed on YouTube @theogdenwaypodcast as well as on Spotify, iHeart, Amazon, and Apple.