Introducing: The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - Save 50% During Launch Phase
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
In city halls across the nation, where challenges are complex and stakes are high no matter what size your population, having a clear sense of purpose isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Your “why” is the compass that guides you through difficult decisions, motivates you during tough times, and ultimately shapes the legacy you’ll leave behind.
Understanding Your ‘Why’ in Public Service
As a city manager, your purpose goes far beyond efficient administration. It’s about:
1. Improving Lives: Every policy, project, or decision has the potential to positively impact your community members’ daily lives.
2. Building Communities: You’re not just managing a geographical area; you’re fostering connections, promoting inclusivity, and creating a sense of belonging.
3. Creating a Lasting Legacy: The work you do today shapes the city’s future, influencing generations to come.
The Impact of Purpose on Leadership
When you’re deeply connected to your purpose you experience:
1. Enhanced Motivation: Difficult tasks become meaningful challenges rather than burdensome obligations.
2. Increased Resilience: Your purpose acts as an anchor during turbulent times, helping you persevere through setbacks.
3. Improved Decision-Making: A clear ‘why’ provides a framework for prioritizing competing demands and making tough choices.
4. Greater Job Satisfaction: Connecting daily tasks to a larger purpose leads to a sense of fulfillment and reduced burnout.
Discovering and Reinforcing Your Purpose
Most organizations have mission statements, although most should be rewritten and intentionally used. But do you? Do you have a mission statement for your personal and professional life, giving your life a direction to row toward and markers to keep you on track? Here’s how to start:
1. Reflect on Your Values: What matters most to you? How does city management align with these values?
2. Envision the Future: What kind of city do you want to help create? How do you want residents to describe their community in 10 years?
3. Identify Passion Points: Which aspects of your work energize you the most? These often point to your deeper purpose.
4. Seek Feedback: Ask colleagues and community members about the impact of your work. Their perspectives can illuminate your purpose.
5. Create a Purpose Statement: Craft a concise statement that encapsulates your ‘why’. Refer to it regularly, especially during challenging times.
Aligning Daily Work with Your Purpose
1. Start Each Day with Intention: Begin your mornings by reviewing your purpose and setting purposeful goals for the day.
2. Frame Tasks in Terms of Impact: When facing a mundane task, remind yourself of its broader implications for your community.
3. Communicate Purpose to Your Team: Regularly discuss how various projects and tasks connect to the larger mission.
4. Seek Purpose-Aligned Projects: Look for opportunities that strongly resonate with your ‘why’ and prioritize them when possible.
5. Celebrate Purpose-Driven Wins: Acknowledge when your team’s work directly fulfills your broader purpose, reinforcing its importance.
Remember, your purpose as a city manager is unique to you and your community. It’s the driving force behind your most impactful work and your greatest source of professional fulfillment.
Reflection Questions
– What initially drew you to city management? How has that initial motivation evolved?
– Can you recall a moment when you felt deeply aligned with your purpose? What made that moment special?
– How might a clearer sense of purpose change the way you approach current challenges in your city?
– In what ways could you more effectively communicate your ‘why’ to your team and community?
By continually reconnecting with and refining your sense of purpose, you can transform not just your own experience as a city manager, but the very fabric of the community you serve.
Conclusion
When the day becomes dark with the stress and frustrations unique to your leadership role, purpose is your north star. It guides your decisions, fuels your resilience, and amplifies your impact. By aligning your daily actions with your overarching vision, you transform routine tasks into meaningful contributions to your community’s future. Your purpose isn’t just a personal motivator—it’s a powerful tool for inspiring your team, engaging your community, and driving sustainable progress. As you navigate the complexities of urban governance, let your ‘why’ be the foundation upon which you build a thriving, inclusive, and forward-thinking city.
Call to Action
Now, it’s your turn to articulate and share your purpose. We invite you to craft your own purpose statement as a city leader and start using it to guide your daily decisions. What drives you in your role? How do you envision your impact on your community? By sharing your purpose, you will inspire your team, creating a network of purpose-driven leaders committed to transforming your city and enhancing the lives of those you serve. If you need help finding your “why,” reach out and let us help with our customized workshop.
Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their leadership impact and their organizational culture.
